Pinocchio, Orange Crush, TVs, motorcycles, lips — all of these are examples of what is found at the “Pop Culture” exhibit in the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. The exhibit will be held from Aug. 25 through Dec. 2, and includes selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation. According to the Pepperdine Center for the Arts, this exhibit is being held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Weisman Museum while exploring the roots of pop culture and the effect that the movement had on subsequent generations.
Andy Warhol’s complete collection of 10 silk screens, titled “Marilyn Monroe,” shows the fascination of his era with glamour, while other pioneering pop artists draw inspiration from the world around them. Everyday objects such as gravel, a mouth and a bulletin board are examined with an artist’s perspective.
From its roots in 1960s, Pop Art has often been criticized as being less meaningful than other genres. However, Dr. Michael Zakian, the director of the museum, explains that “pop artists really helped shape the world we live in today.” They have provide new perspectives, utilize modern technology and bring the art to the people. Examples of graffiti art and advertisement billboard techniques line the walls while offering a familiar style for viewers.
Reflective of society’s growing infatuation with consumerism, iconic symbols of fast food and technology appear throughout the exhibit. The recurrent themes of wit, irony and humor run rampant. “Alligator Shoes” by Joel Morrison depicts shoes made of alligator leather that are complete with teeth. Another sketch, “Fire Pole,” shows the feet of a person sliding down a pole but provides no other information, which leads the viewer to wonder if it is depicting a firefighter rushing away to a fire or if he is a provocative dancer. This exhibit makes an individual stop and examine mundane snippets from everyday life that suddenly become controversial when placed under a new lens.
Upstairs, a motorcycle is placed in the center of the floor and covered in bright colors; this is a sharp contrast to the rough mental image that most have associated with this vehicle. To the right of that, the word “STOP” is painted on the ground. The artist brings the mundane forward to force us to examine our lives and how we approach them.
The fall art exhibit has something for everyone to see. For English majors, there is a giant exclamation point floating in the air, while food lovers can enjoy a manhole cover that doubles as a giant Oreo. Iconic faces cover the walls for those who love movies and interior decorators will enjoy the abnormal approach to shelving and pottery. This same pottery has served as the inspiration for a Louis Vuitton purse. Artists exhibited, such as Keith Harring, believed that art is about connecting to the spirit, and this exhibit manages to do just that.
For those interested in viewing “Pop Culture: Visit Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation” — the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free for students. In addition, a reception is being held Saturday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the Museum’s 20th anniversary.
