While headline-reading art observers might have believed that last Saturday evening in LA was all about KAWS, Bill McMullen’s new solo chock-full of iconic imagery evened the balance between the two-sides of La Cienega blvd. Hype, Hustle and Rip-Off opened at the Constant Gallery almost directly across the street. While the environment was more casual and devoid of huge snaking lines, the art centered around consumerism – specifically consumption and obsolescence, was bold and provocative. From the trademark stack of cash to the genius R2D2 ghetto blaster – this is Bill McMullen in rare form.
McMullen considers obsolescence in a pleasurable from – audio technology of yesteryear from an intricate screen print featuring a reel-based tape machine to a beautiful faux carved wood hi-fi set. While it’s true that newer technology is undeniably sexy (LEDs, random access!) – it’s also the case that companies urge us and even need us to constantly replace our gear for the latest and purportedly greatest.
Perhaps the most visually arresting installation is in some sense the least profound of the show. McMullen presents his modern take on the beverage wars with a display of three warriors clad in camoflauge derived from corporate logos – Coke, Starbucks, and Seagrams (?). The work is visually interesting and appealing, yet perhaps just a bit conspicuous in terms of message. Tastes great, less filling ? The point, ultimately ?
Constant Gallery
2673 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310.430.9058
2 comments ↓
The third warrior is dressed in Marlboro fatigues. The installation you refer to is not about a “beverage war,” rather that the aggressive global branding of corporations and their relentless pursuit of the consumer can be likened to a “Corporate War”. It’s interesting that your interpretation as a “beverage war” shows the subtly insidious nature of this “Corporate War” that ultimately internalizes the consumer’s “brand patriotism” as a battle between brands, rather than a battle to recruit consumers.
I loved r2d2.
Leave a Comment