Animalicious
Los Angeles: Global media Network, 2013. First edition. Hardcover. 62/150 signed Mark Steven Greenfield on colophon. 11pp., 15 plates with 7 printed overlays. Original red leather over illustrated Plexiglas with red lettering. Paper portfolio case missing. Book accompanying an exhibition at Offramp Gallery, Pasadena, March 3 –April 14, 2013.
"... the work might offer a glimpse into the origins of both conscious and subconscious contemporary thinking with regard to race, while at the same time exorcising the enduring specter that dwells in the American psyche. Animalicious... concentrates on cartoons an animated characterizations of black people from the 1930s, 40s and as recently as the 1970s, that while arguably accepted as benign by many in the dominant culture at the time, left wide latitude for disturbing interpretations. Characters include Br'er Rabbit and Tar-Baby from Song of the South, Bosko, Professor Scarecrow and Jasper from George Pal's Puppetoons, the crows from Dumbo, and characters from Ralph Bakshi's Fritz the Cat and Coonskin... The complexity of the issue raised by this genre has resulted in these cartoons being banned from public exhibition, but... never been fully excised from public consciousness..." Greenfield artist statement).
Beautifully executed color and b/w reproductions of Greenfield's work in various mediums, ink on wood and Duralar, acrylic, and embroidery on cotton, with seven printed parchment overlays. Rachael Z. DeLue provides a delicate analysis and characterization of Greenfield's Re-animation in her introduction. Slightly starting at title page. Printing error circled in pencil in introduction. Near fine condition. Item #46822
Price: $350.00