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Fear, Loathing, and the technicolor NightmareFear, Loathing, and the Technicolor Nightmare is a solo exhibition of my personal work. Focusing primarily on the proliferation of America pop culture, this exhibition features an obsession with how and why the US has dominated, colonized, and inspired various nations’ cultures around the world.
The concept of American Exceptionalism was extremely important in establishing the work, the essence of which is the belief that America was established in singular circumstances of democracy and power, thus establishing its right to take part in and control the fate of countless nations across the globe. Taking superheroes and cartoon characters as the mythology of America, I explore what it means to be a hegemonic power, and if exceptionalism applies not simply to military might, but also to the colonization and proliferation of its culture in others. Regardless of long term occupation of other countries, the US invades, permeates and proliferates its’ cultural identity among the local lore. The result is a perverse cultural mutation, leading sometimes to the idolatry or hatred of American pop icons as extensions of the state. Is superman an immigrant risen to power amid America’s democratic freedom, or is he a violent vigilante of fascist ‘might proves right’ dogmas? Has Mickey Mouse, despite his disappearance from actual cartoons finally risen to Godhood? These pop mythologies both epitomize and proliferate America throughout the globe. Issues of cultural colonization, religious imposition, and military occupation infest the work of Fear and Loathing. As the title suggests, the artist draws upon inspiration from other artists who have questioned the American dream, as well as drawing parallels to other work such as the Japanese superflat artists and Alan Moore’s comic books. From the golden arches as viral sigil and video games as hatchery of American cultural hegemony, to questionably masked vigilante supersoldiers amid fear and addiction, Fear, Loathing, and the Technicolor Nightmare attempts to push to the heart and terror of American Exceptionalism. |
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Infinite SprawlSuburban America has served as the focal point of the Technicolor American dream for over seventy years now, despite a changing world. As such, it has grown organically throughout the decades, trailing congested speedways and housing bubbles as refuse.
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3rd Person Oil RushStock video game soldier models serve as disposable meat for Super Zero, the man who fell to earth.
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The man who fell to Earth-An Immigrant StorySuper hero as ultimate success story.
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