Photos 260210769 © Wirestock and 128889126 © Michael Bush | Dreamstime.com
Can you say—or rather, sing—uh, uh, oh? Hajime Sorayama, a Japanese artist famed for his shiny, metallic depictions of robotic figures, has called out global superstar Beyoncé, claiming that her Renaissance tour visuals and merchandise “borrow” heavily from his iconic style.
Sorayama, whose work often blends eroticism and futurism, pointed out the striking similarities between his sensual robot illustrations and the aesthetic used by Beyoncé in her latest tour. His Instagram post was direct and laden with a hint of disappointment: “Yo Beyoncé, you should have asked me ‘officially’ so that I could make much better work for you.”
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The interaction, or lack thereof, juxtaposed his successful collaboration with The Weeknd, who had approached Sorayama for a joint project, the illustrator pointed out.
Bruh all this time I thought Beyonce asked for permission from Hajime Sorayama to use his art… he posted this today. Please look at the caption. pic.twitter.com/EdKrMg9XUm
— Kür (@kuragora) December 11, 2023
Beyoncé’s fanbase was quick to shoot down Sorayama’s claims. They drew parallels between his robot art and imagery from Fritz Lang’s 1927 film Metropolis, as well as creations by designer Manfred Thierry Mugler.
Screenshot via Beyoncé’s Instagram post
However, Sorayama’s legacy in the art world is robust and diverse. Aside from his erotic robot art, he is known for designing the first-generation Sony AIBO robotic dog, a piece so influential it found a permanent home in the Museum of Modern Art. His style, often characterized as “superrealism,” has been influential in both art and popular culture, impacting fields ranging from industrial design to Hollywood.
As for Beyoncé, known for intricately weaving artistic and cultural references into her work, this accusation from Sorayama adds a complex layer to her artistic narrative.
So far, there has been no official response from the singer’s camp regarding the claim.
[via The Art Newspaper, New York Post, Artnet News, images via various sources]
by rrollins
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