Have you ever seen those images of The Simpsons perhaps or Mickey Mouse or Sesame Street muppets with Xs for eyes?
That’s KAWS!
Family Values: Please Do Not Touch
Yesterday for lunch I visited the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) super eager to check out: KAWS: Family, an outstanding exhibit.
It was Mind-Blowing To See The Kimpsons by KAWS
KAWS is an American graffiti artist (from Jersey City, New Jersey) and designer known for his toys, paintings, sneakers, collaborations and prints.
His work is fine art, street graffiti, dope graphic design and more…it’s wonderfully highbrow and lowbrow all at the same time. (Like me! And hopefully you…)
The AGO KAWS exhibition is remarkable.
Take A Friend To See KAWS
“Of course it’s an honour to have work shown, whether it’s in an institution or public art. The reason I make work is communication, to create a dialogue with the audience, and to know that works are on display in different places and contexts is amazing for me.” ~KAWS
Refined street sensibilities; the hope of a hustle(r), the impressive distinction of making a living off your taste.
Thrilling exhibition; so gonna go again. Oh, yo.
“Graffiti was great because it helped me learn about kids all over the world, that there really was this community unlike any that exists, even now, in contemporary art. It’s a different thing and people outside it don’t understand.” ~KAWS
As for the Xs for eyes… KAWS’s X-ed out eyes and hands represent the virtual deaths of characters who are humanlike, but nonliving to begin with i.e. Simpsons and Sesame Street characters.
X is also how we kiss…you know when you sign letters XO to visually signify love? And we do adore Simpsons and Sesame Street characters. So love and death?
Multiple meanings…many layers like dressing for the winter. See? Art. And street and fashion. It’s all happening.
Create a playground and invite everyone to come and play…that’s the magic of KAWS.
The AGO is having a strong fall: Keith Haring Art Is For Everybody opens on November 8.
Expect another My Pal Sammy about that, no doubts. Haring was and is dope. Also #PantsWorthy.
Just Be KAWS… Sammy Younan -28-
Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair podcast: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
