This exhibit will explore the theme "The Influence of Celebrities". We will explore how celebrities have shaped and impacted the art and society world, specifically the Postmodern Era. With this exhibit we will examine how 6 different artists have used celebrity culture and how its reflected on the art, fame, and society world.
Marilyn Monroe (1967)
By: Andy Warhol
Although this does come a little short of postmodern-1980, this painting is a great example of the expression for popular culture and high art, with it invoking a celebrity to the reflection of an art icon. This helps highlight the persuasive influence celebrity culture can have on art. This is also only one of ten from this profolio, all the same print, just different use of color. For this one, the use of vibrant colors helps give a sense of the mass production celebrities can bring to the world. The lining and also the shading, both help introduce many emotions, which also helps show how art can reflect how attention grabbing celebrities can be.
Michael Jackson and Bubbles (1988)
By: Jeff Koons
The sculpture helps evokes the fascination the world can hold for celebrities. This sculpture reflects the postmodern era with celebrity culture and the impacts it can have on society. The shiny surface of the sculpture help mirror the image celebrities hold and reputation. The placement and positioning reflects the fame that celebrities endure throughout their life. The facial expressions within this sculpture help depict the charming emotion celebrities can give off. Koons helps show how celebrities can impact the art world with many expressions.
Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps (2005)
By: Kehinde Wiley
This painting depicts a young african american man which challenges celebrities and traditional power. This masterpiece holds great historical glorification and help revision it to modern time. The use of color and contrast, both help highlight the interference that can be shown with historical and modern celebrities. The great detailing in lining with the horse and male figure, help give you the sense of power and emotion that can reflected between art and celebrities.
Untitled(cowboy) (1989)
By: Richard Prince
This painting reflects the modifications of celebrity and advertising in the public face. Prince has many various ways of expressing these view in his works, which help invoke a natural aspect. The contrast tied with the blurriness of color gives a sense of unknown power a person can hold. The shading and vanctness background, give of a sense of the endless opportunities that can seen through celebrities and art. With the figure looking like its leaving the painting help highlight the mystery of emotions.
Untitled Film Still #21 (1977-1980)
By: Cindy Sherman
This portrait is one of many in the series of Sherman's portfolio, over 70 of black and white of these self-portraits. This explores the identity of an actress reflects as a celebrity figure. It also helps show the nature of celebrities and the influence it has on society. The use of clothing and makeup, helps highlight the performative side of celebrities. It could also give off a sense of various characters. The city like background and positioning of the Sherman evokes an emotion of professionalism between the art world and celebrities.
For the Love of God (2007)
By: Damien Hirst
This artwork is another great example of modification between art and fame. It reflects the connection between the postmodern era, art, and celebrities. The use of material, such as diamonds over 8,500 of them help show the value that can be placed on celebrities and art. The life size skull used and the realistic teeth evoke a sense of reality between celebrity and art. "Human life is a raw material in the construction of this artwork, not only in the form of the actual skull which provides its mold, but more importantly in the expenditure of life power in the often deadly process of mine working and in death resulting from armed conflict financed by the diamond trade"(magazine.art21.org, Julia Steinmetz).
Bibliography
There are some very interesting choices here. The one I liked the most would probably be Marilyn Monroe. I like the vibrant colors, and pop art is something I generally enjoy. I also appreciate the way it uses so few colors and still comes across so well, and it's certainly a good fit for the influence of celebrities. Another one that is also a good fit, but is probably my least favorite, is Michael Jackson and Bubbles. It just looks strange to me, like an odd figurine you'd find in a pawn shop somewhere. However, something I found interesting was the artist, Koons, said that he was inspired by Christian sculptures of religious figures when making it, as Micheal Jackson and big celebrities like him garnered similar attention and following as Christian figures in the past. This gives me a little more appreciation for what it has to offer.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great theme for artwork during this era! The most interesting piece to me is that of Michael Jackson. I feel like it completely embodies him as a person with how shiny and extravagant it is. It reminds me of the jackets, shoes, and gloves he would wear when performing. You mentioned the word "fascination" when talking about how people view celebrities, and fans were most definitely fascinated with him in the 80s. The artist was able to bring this to life in the sculpture. I find the Sherman self-portraits to also be interesting. They gave viewers a peek into the celebrity lifestyle that, most likely, they were never able to see up close.
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