I Love America by Studio 55

X-Men, Captain America, Spider-Man (at the time the spider man), the human torch… If these evocations make you shudder with memories of your teenage readings, then you are like me! For as long as I can remember, as soon as my brother finished reading his copy of the Strange comic book, I would take advantage of a moment of inattention on his part to read it in turn. And to forge a certain idea of America, full of ideals, superheroes and good feelings, the land of opportunity par excellence where everything becomes possible. And the source of inspiration for many artists around the world. If you shake your head in agreement as you read these words, then you are aware of the power of this culture exported via cinema or television. The country that gave birth to graffiti is exporting its culture and its superheroes all over the world with an unimaginable strength that keeps growing, just look at the most successful TV series of the last ten years.

It is always interesting to compare the way we look at a culture that has seen us grow up by lulling our imagination with reality. And it is this experience that the Studio 55 Urban Arts Gallery offers us. Studio 55 is a contemporary art gallery, specialized in urban art, which supports the new generation of artists coming from graffiti. It works for the international influence of a dynamic and ever-expanding French street-art movement.

From May 05 to June 02, 2010, he hosts the group exhibition “I love America. Regards américains, regards sur l’Amérique” in residence at Pierre Cardin at 3, 5 and 9 rue de Duras in Paris. This group show aims to marry the works of American (Jonone, Jaya Bludeau, Native, Quik, Ezo, Paul Santoleri and Keith Haring) and European (Speedy Graphito, YZ, ZEVS, Dizer, Alberto Vejarano, Cyril Anguelidis, Nick Walker, Sara Shamsavari, Zachary Havas, Fenx, Sébastien Leguen, Kathy Wolff, Studio 21bis and Nicolas Moreau) urban artists in a bittersweet evocation of the United States. And it is a rather successful marriage that allows us to understand what is really this America so attractive and so repulsive at the same time in an evocation of all these small symbols of America, true cultural parts of a country on the decline. Let’s go through some of them.

First symbol: the star-spangled banner.

Everything could be summarized in the work Yes, We can spray by Speedy Graffito. Because in itself, this evocation of everything that makes America from Mickey to the dollar, Barack Obama, Captain America, Catwoman and graffiti shows the power of the myth. This new starry banner mixes very brilliantly the whole of these small pieces of America which nourish us and to which the starry banner In God We trust of Jonone, pillar of the street-art, makes furiously echo. Just like the dark and enigmatic face of YZ’s Open You Eyes America banner, whose journey is marked by his encounter with the iconic city of New York. Dize’sAmerica seems almost unreal next to it.

Second symbol: the Coca-Cola, Disney and MacDonalds brands

Brands have built America and its culture. From Coca-Cola with its red Santa Claus to a benevolent Ronald MacDonald and a mouse promising a wonderful world.

Liquidated Coca-Cola by ZEVS, one of the pioneers of French street-art, pays “homage” to the dripping hegemony of this world-famous drink that conveys a true “American way of life” through the image of a strong brand. Image that the artist does not hesitate to liquidate.

Through a glass window, we can observe the Ronald MacDonald of Studio 21bis, disturbing like a scarecrow, symbol of a standardized and sanitized food.

Third symbol: superheroes.

The one that is perhaps the strongest. Let’s enter the world of the superhero. Auuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Rescue, Captain America or Wonder Woman will come running to save you then. Everything is said through this monumental fresco gathering all the superheroes realized by Nicolas Moreau. No need to add, this painting tells us everything with its multitude of superheroes (or losers) of comics or cartoons … The Super G Surfer seems to be a real nose dive into the flamboyant superhero surfing the wave.

Fourth symbol: New York

Whether it is through the evocation of its highest monument by Nick Walker The Empire’s State or the Statue of Liberty, New York is omnipresent in this evocation of America: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses ….

But the most striking work remains those of Paul Santoleri, a prolific artist from Philadelphia whose attention to detail in his black and white drawings borders on perfection. Inspired by nature, the artist paints a surrealist universe, passiflores or jellyfish, to soften the architecture of cities. One comes out of it almost caught in this world, a new megalopolis more natural, allegory of a sprawling city.

But go and see for yourself. You will see you will be surprised, amazed and attracted, perhaps you will be frightened by all that this exhibition suggests.

maybe you will feel all those emotions that America provides.

Studio 55 in residence at Pierre Cardin 3, 5 and 9 rue de Duras 75008 Paris

www.thestudio55.com

Marie-Odile Radom