Popular Culture on a Wing

I believe that this next statement goes without saying, as they say...

My creations are most definitely influenced by American popular culture.

Yep, from our junk food infested shores to our reality TV riddled screens, from our darkened movie theatres awash in cinematic glow to our bazillion song enabled iPods accompanying us to and fro, massive media overload at every turn, strip malls galore, actors turned politicos, OC chicks and oh so much more! This place is an artist's sensory playground I tell you. It should be explored, adored, feared and indulged, held at arms length and viewed under a microscope.

As both a keen observer and participant in the pop culture sandbox, I find that I have a difficult time slowing down the ideas proffered from the din. Now, some of those conceptions have a limited self life. Others however, have staying power. Yep, those veterans of my cerebrum are the golden nuggets that I tend to make corporeal in all of their brilliant technicolor, three-dimensional glory.

One such stubborn squatter in my grey matter urged me to make it a reality after recently having screened one of my all-time favorite films by one of my all-time favorite filmmakers. I mean come on! How could I not pay homage to a film filled to the, um, gizzard with voracious winged things flying through plate glass windows, plucking the eyes from unsuspecting townspeople and well, just generally terrorizing a sleepy little hamlet located on the north coast of my beloved golden state. And let's not forget about the all-star cast! Hi Tippi, Rod and Suzanne! Oh, and that fashion era is one of my faves. Love Tippi's little green suit.

Yep, I've loved this film since I was a wee Linoleum (I know, I have a call into a local therapist, no worries) and have been making art inspired by this cinematic jewel for quite a while now...

Take this little illustration I created a few years ago as part of a larger narrative:



I like this piece, though it just doesn't compare with some of the 3D works I found in this tome (which I purchased upon first inspection at my local bookseller I might add):



After seeing the crazy pop-ups in this compendium I knew I needed to take my ideas off of the page and onto the street, so to speak. So, here's my newest tribute to the battle of the bird modeled by LittleLinoleum...



Using a combination of crochet and knit to create this ensemble, I also managed to make a serious dent in my acrylico stashio. In addition, this little diddy is quite versatile as those birdies have pins that erupt from their bellies enabling the wearer to customize the attack formations before sporting the look about town. Not bad eh?



I may be deluded, but I think Alfred would be proud.

Copyright 2007 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.