Yusaku Maezawa's $350M Superyacht Nausicaä: A Floating Museum with Warhol, Koons, and Basquiat
Yusaku Maezawa, the creator of Zozotown, has inaugurated a private museum on the 114-meter superyacht Nausicaä, which was designed by Marc Newson and constructed by Lürssen, at a cost of $350 million. The yacht, named after a film from Studio Ghibli, boasts nine cabins, a sushi bar, a helipad, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a two-story art gallery featuring pieces from artists like Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, and Christopher Wool. As a notable art collector, Maezawa invested $98 million in 2016 for seven artworks, including Koons' Lobster and several Basquiat pieces, one of which he bought for $57.2 million and later sold for $85 million in 2022. He also renovated a 19th-century estate in Kyoto to display contemporary art.
Key facts
- Yusaku Maezawa unveiled his 114-meter superyacht Nausicaä off Hawaii, estimated at $350 million.
- The yacht was designed by Marc Newson and built by German shipyard Lürssen.
- The vessel features nine cabins, a sushi bar, a helipad, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a two-story art gallery.
- The gallery includes works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, and Christopher Wool from Maezawa's collection.
- In 2016, Maezawa spent $98 million in two days on seven artworks, including Koons' Lobster, Calder's Sumac 17, and Nauman's Eat War.
- Maezawa purchased an untitled 1982 Basquiat for $57.2 million in 2016 and resold it for $85 million in 2022.
- He has spent seven years restoring a 19th-century estate in Kyoto with architect Hiroshi Nakamura.
- The Kyoto estate houses works by Isamu Noguchi, Alexandre Noll, and Jean Royère.
- Maezawa stated that a collection kept in storage is meaningless; art should be seen and appreciated.
Entities
Artists
- Yusaku Maezawa
- Andy Warhol
- Jeff Koons
- Richard Prince
- Christopher Wool
- Alexander Calder
- Bruce Nauman
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Isamu Noguchi
- Alexandre Noll
- Jean Royère
- Marc Newson
- Hiroshi Nakamura
Institutions
- Zozotown
- Lürssen
- Christie's
- Sotheby's
- Phillips
- Contemporary Art Foundation
- Studio Ghibli
Locations
- Hawaii
- United States
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Kyoto
- Germany
Sources
- Artslife —