Here's an art exhibit tailor-made for anyone who still believes they can fly: a new exhibit is opening up at a Chelsea gallery devoted to the demented Michael Jordan/Looney Tunes synergetic masterpiece, Space Jam. One might be tempted to ask at this point, "But how can you improve upon an already perfect piece of art?" to which we might respond, "C'MON AND SLAM."
LA-based artist Devon Troy Strother will premiere a series of large scale paintings and sculptures inspired by the cinematic triumph starting today at Chelsea Marlborough (the exhibit runs through Feb. 14th). Here's a description of what you'll find there:
Conceptually Strother looked towards Space Jam as a sentiment, a film he grew up with, but also a play on words: “space” in relation to being challenged with Marlborough Chelsea’s large space, and “jam” as a verb meaning to do something quickly, art and growth in this case.
The galleries will be paved with three different floors, two replicating proper basketball courts, and one of stock carpet depicting outer space, typically for outfitting movie theaters or children’s daycares. The paintings and sculptures further Strother’s existent artistic lexicon, which challenges stereotypes, and points to pop culture and art history.
This is the best part though: "There is also the allusion to space, from the exhibition’s name to the gradients in the paintings that reference Jordan’s limbo state in the film. The feeling of the unknown and darkness are ever present." Darkness: like whatever was used to blackmail Wayne Knight into co-starring in the film; like the idea of Shawn Bradley being a great basketball player; like Patrick Ewing's attempts at acting; like the humiliation suffered by Charles Barkley.
In all seriousness, Space Jam is the best, and we can't wait to check out this exhibit—you can see some more of the actual artwork here. In the meantime, please peruse the original 1996 Space Jam website, in all its primitive HTML glory.
And never forget: Bill Murray was in this film as well, and he was glorious.
