New York visual artists Mint+Serf, known for elevating their graffiti into desirable objects for consumption, want to spin the image of the iconic patriot. To launch their latest silk charmeuse scarf with a street art patina, the duo enlisted artist and curator Richie Shazam to take on the spirit of an American leader or what the duo calls the new George Washington of Downtown New York by donning a powdered wig.
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The silk scarf is a replica of a painting by Mint+Serf titled Young, Dumb and Full of Cum and digitally printed by Software Studios. Yet, their campaign to release the elegant piece is anything but young or dumb. The concept of the campaign was inspired by the 90s political magazine George, published by the late JFK Jr. wherein each cover featured a celebrity reinterpreting American politics and prowess.
Mint writes, “With this election year, becoming so vigorously contested, I wanted to revisit this idea but with something radically different in mind. Something that once again reinterpreted the idea of an American in 2016. We wanted something bold, aggressive, and punk rock. A big 'fuck you' to all of the bigots of our great country. A middle finger to everyone who hates minorities and won't acknowledge reproductive rights and equal pay for women. This is a celebration of individuality, masco-femininity and ethnicity.”To release the campaign shot by Lorenzo Fariello, the artists will turn the facade of the Wallplay gallery building in the Lower East Side into a painting (before the space becomes a 12-story luxury condo). Mint tells The Creators Project, “Everyone with the willingness and desire to pick up a can are welcome to transform the gallery into a social vandal sculpture.” You will also see the posters of Shazam dressed as George Washington spattered about the city.
The artists want you to take note and reconsider “What kind of Americans do we want to be? Do we want to hate and exclude or do we want to love and embrace? Do we want to isolate and regress or do we want to evolve and progress? Do we want to actively do nothing or do we want to take action and be active?”
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