Eye Pop: the Celebrity Gaze
The National Portrait Gallery
OVERVIEW
What is “Celebrity” and how have the images of celebrity changed over the decades? Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery says that “celebrity evolved with modernity and with the use of visual media to replicate a likeness and create a reputation.” She goes on to claim that in our pop culture, celebrity is fleeting and public attention is fickle while always looking to the next big thing.
In the past, celebrity was often limited the standouts in the arts and sports. Celebrity was often synonymous with Hollywood or the sports fields. However, with the onset of selfies and social media, the talent pool for celebrity has expanded to a multitude of fields including science, technology, design and much more. As everyone today strives to reach celebrity status in their own fields, the notion of celebrity has grown to recognize stars in many fields.
In addition to the stars, celebrity has been expanded to also include the fallen and their efforts to re-establish themselves. A portrait of Brittany Spears hangs in the show, reflecting on the ephemeral nature of what defines pop culture’s icons. Social media has left no stone unturned in revealing one’s talents and missteps.
The “Eye Pop” show currently on exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery exhibits numerous photographs, paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and video of living celebrities from numerous fields.
LESSON
Choose an Oklahoma “Celebrity” from a field of your interest. Brainstorm images/symbols that you think define the work and life of that celebrity.
Plan a composition for your portrait that somehow incorporates the images or symbols that help define this celebrity. Here are some things to consider in your planning:
- Size of your portrait: up-close-head shot or head and shoulders
- Frontal view or ¾ view
- Color-full color/monochromatic/b&w
- Media-drawing, painting, collage
SUPPLIES
Take the following steps to acquire a classroom set of drawing or painting materials from Ziegler’s:
- Visit Ziegler’s and select your materials for one classroom-have him provide you a quote
- Contact Ann Tomlins with your proposal and Ziegler’s quote
- Upon approval-return to Ziegler’s to collect your materials
- Begin your work!
TIMELINE
May 5 art work will be exhibited for an Oklahoma Eye Pop Exhibit at the Zarrow Gallery. If you need help matting selected pieces, please contact Ann Tomlins a month before. The work will continue with the Kravis Summer Arts, with scholarships available. A second showing of work will be at the Kravis Summer Arts in June.