Born Of Our Culture/American Excess
Born Of Our Culture/American Excess
This immersive, visual experience is inspired by true crime. It is a re-created scene focusing on multiple tragic events that began in 1969. The specific events referenced are the brutal murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca as well as the assassinations of Fred Hampton (1969) and Huey P. Newton. (1989). The Manson Family’s intent was to frame the Black Panthers for the murders they committed with the goal of inciting a race war. Influenced by Hollywood, pop culture and politics as the installation weaves a story as old as time. American culture is a regurgitation of some of our highest exports- Hollywood and consumer wealth. My fascination with true crime began as a small child reading about the Tate-Labianca murders committed by the Manson Family Cult late in the evening on August 8,1969.
This installation mirrors events that transpired that evening which captured the attention of the world as they unfolded and also the driving forces of racial discrimination, profiling that repeat throughout history.
These tragic moments in history leave the viewer with the feeling, “How could this happen?” or “This will never happen again,” when in fact the “story” is in a continuous loop. We are enraptured in a vast information overload that is our societal culture. Our entertainment is entrenched with salacious information, power, corruption, true crime, drugs, sex, lies and videotape a smartphone. The real life plot hasn’t changed we just happen to be holding the camera ourselves. As a society we are consumed by the relentless pursuit of the trappings of power and wealth. American Excess is a current day reflection on excess, addiction, greed, and consumerism.
This set has furniture and decor from the 1960-1980s sourced from around the country. It is staged to be reminiscent of Hollywood regency and mid-century modern aesthetic. The setting has references to the late Actress Sharon Tate’s living room, the film The Valley of The Dolls and the Iconic portrait of Huey P. Newton seated in a Peacock Chair. The sculptures within the scene are partially altered found objects as well as site-specific custom pieces. The scene itself from afar appears to be a serene living space, as you get closer, what you thought was, is not what it appears to be.
Works
The Cream Is Not The Only Thing That Rises To The Top (Music Box)
2021
Music box with music by Issac Hayes and David Porter, Performed by the Charmels, sampled By The WuTang Clan for C.R.E.A.M. This piece is a collaboration with Alexander Pope and Morgan Peterson under the moniker Dr. Jekyll and Hyde.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME (Pearl Noose)
2021
25 feet of 11,000 hand-sewn imported pearls from China in a Russian Spiral Stitch. Red nylon to strengthen the weak silk from the Donald Trump tie collection. This piece is also displayed on a Trump Tower International end table.
Strazza Master Copy (Middle Wall Portrait above the Peacock Chair)
2019
Blown and cameo engraved glass with 24 kt. gold
12” x 9” x 1.5”
One Day At Cielo Drive…(Jay Sebring-Left Portrait, Sharon Tate-Right Portrait)
2019
Blown and cameo engraved glass with 24 kt. gold
12” x 9” x 1.5”
Alter/ed Vanity
2021
Blown glass, silver, found objects and pâte de verre and fabric
36” x 18” x 48”
All of the found objects are from the late 1800s–1980s
The door
From the late 1800s to early 1900s and staged to be a replica of the door at 10050 Cielo Drive.
The Book
A Cool Million, was on of the last books purchased by Abigail Folger. This particular copy was published in January of 1969.
The Matches
El Coyote Restaurant. The last supper of Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring and Wojciech Frykowski.
The Emanuelle Style Peacock Chair
This item references the Iconic portrait of the late Huey P Newton (minister of defense for the Black Panthers and original founding father of the party).
The Zebra Pelt
This item really ties the stories together. There is a zebra rug present in the portrait with Huey P. Newton as well as a feature in Sharon Tate’s living room, which eventually becomes infamous with the horrific crime scene.
The Black Ceramic Panthers
One of which is broken, with the pieces strewn about. This is a symbolic reference to the weaponization by the US government of the black power movement. The Manson cult attempted to frame The Black Panthers for their heinous crimes however they were not successful unlike our government.
Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were two young militant Black activists assassinated by the Chicago police early in the morning of December 4, 1969. The police were coordinated by the FBI which was led by J. Edgar Hoover. The intent of the secret program revealed by documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, was to neutralize and destroy the Black Panther Party, which FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover privately called “the greatest threat to the internal security of the country.”