ENGAGING MASTERS: The Art of Parody
ENGAGING MASTERS: The Art of Parody
Las Cruces Museum of Art
February 07 – May 03, 2025
The focus of this show at the Las Cruces Museum of Art is on the ways contemporary artists borrow from history to create something new. These artists weave art history with today’s popular culture, creating pictures within pictures. You will see equal measures of playfulness and nostalgia, much of it tapping into our collective imagination, incorporating iconic images and brands. With many of the pieces, a closer examination reveals something serious, that wasn’t evident at first glance. In the show, there is a tongue-in-cheek reference to artists such as Picasso, Warhol, Van Gogh, Caravaggio, and others.
This show is playful, interactive, and educational. It will make you think, cause you to laugh, and you'll have lots of "ah-ha" moments as you see the interplay between historical art and contemporary themes. Warhol's Marilyn Monroe in Native American dress? Yep. Caravaggio's Bacco in psychedelic colors? But, of course. Picasso's Guernica juxtaposed with modern translations of war? Sadly, yes. Van Gogh's work on a box of crayons? You would expect different? And why wouldn't we see images of Haring in a bathtub scene? And don't even get me started on how Snap, Crackle, and Pop fit into a Picasso piece.
A good parody is imitation with a twist. In other words, it closely imitates the form it mocks, but it also requires close attention to detail. The principle of appropriation and parody is to use known works, giving them another meaning. These exaggerations take an aspect of the original, serious version and push it to the extremes. The outcome is art that resonates across generations. You will laugh, poke fun at, and think back on iconic images on the popular culture you grew up in. Kids will love the show, though they may look to older audiences for some translation. But don't be shy here, as there is some flesh to be shown.
The success of any parody depends on the audience’s familiarity with the work. In fact, a large part of what makes parodies so popular is the way they make the viewer feel ‘in on the joke.’ Warhol was a master at parody, transforming singular historical works of art into recognizable icons, such as what he did with Campbell’s soup cans, Marilyn Monroe imagery, and Coca Cola bottles. Here, you will flash back to commercials, print ads, and the visits you had to museums around the world.
Under US law, the fair use doctrine allows for the use of a trademark in a parody if it is used for commentary, criticism, new reporting, teaching, or research. In essence, the parody must transform the original trademark by adding additional elements that help differentiate it from the original. Thus, in this show, the ‘girl’ with a pearl earring is a dog; Warhol’s Marilyn is in Native American fashion; and Van Gogh’s self portrait is on a box of crayons.
The 10 most parodied artworks of all time include:
- American Gothic, 1930
- Mona Lisa, 1503
- The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1829-1832
- The Birth of Venus, 1484-1486
- The Last Supper, 1495-1498
- Girl with a Pearl Earring, c. 1665
- The Scream, 1893
- The Thinker, 1880-1904
- Starry Night, 1889
