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ARTCAT



Mikey Demoula, Rock On

Autoversion, LTD
453 West 17th Street, 4th floor, 212-242-0060
Chelsea
September 7 - October 6, 2007
Reception: Friday, September 7, 6 - 9 PM
Web Site


MIKEY DEMOULA is a painter who aims to continue a visual narrative left over from some of rock history’s most legendary icons.

The artist’s somewhat twisted interpretation on Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” Lp art from 1979 places singer Christine McVie at the foreground, frolicking inside LA’s Dodger Stadium which has been restructured with parts of the Roman Colosseum. In one hand she holds a wine glass, the other, a cardboard cutout of bassist John McVie. On the stadium field lie USC Marching Band helmets spelling out the word “Tusk.” The artist states the “piece is about being in an artistic position to do whatever you like…and in this case, it’s excessive.” The painting recaptures the original drab beige coloring on most mid-seventies Mac albums.

“ROCK ON” offers up homage to Led Zeppelin lead singer, Robert Plant with “Rock God.” DeMoula layers 4 images of the singer performing live, transforming him into an eight-armed Shiva folding into lotus position. The work stresses a “oneness” derived from seeing an inspirational performance.

Also, included in the show is “J’s Hair.” “Hair is one of the most visually mesmerizing elements in rock n’ roll performance,” states DeMoula. “It’s like watching the artist’s physical undulations sprout out buoyantly, trickle into a halo, then reverberate into split ends.”

The painting’s detailed rendering captures musician, J Mascis’ hair long, tangled & gray with no face included.

Notable throughout “ROCK ON” is DeMoula’s tendency toward graphic design. From the minimalist high gloss white hovering behind “J’s Hair” to the centrical symmetry in “Rock God,” DeMoula blurs distinctions between painter and designer. The artworks stress “visual merchandise” and incorporate the marketing of idol worship, celebrity and style into their narratives.

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