Cucumber Night Cream
Sir Eduardo Paolozzi ; Richard Davis; Editions Alecto
Description
Subject Matter:
Like many of his contemporaries, Paolozzi used new printing techniques as a way to engage with modern mass media's new visual culture. At the same time, the photomechanical process made the work look mechanically manufactured rather hand made, in the traditional artistic sense. Therefore, after he modified, transformed, and assembled the source image(s), the medium would allow for a more uniform final image.
This print is one of a large series of 50 prints included in the 1970 portfolio, which was a second edition of the an earlier group of slightly-larger prints titled "Moonstrips Empire News." While the first series was stricktly produced as screenprints, this second series "General Dynamic F.U.N." includes works of photolithography. The themes seen in this portfolio are different in style and subject matter from other Pop works of the period, but engage with the images of a modern mass media, looking beyond just advertising and publicity images. Likewise, the title of the portfolio alludes to the General Dynamics Corporation, who was the manufacturer of the F-111 fighter used during the Vietnam War--the same one referenced in James Rosenquist monumental painting "F-111."
The title and the imagery in this print give a satirical view of contemproary American culture, as if the face cream is like over-the-top headwear, gilding the proverbial lily.
Physical Description:
This color photolithograph is in shades of purple and blue and has an image of a woman's head. She is wearing an elaborate hat and glasses. The hat is a large sphere and is covered in stripes of colored sequins. The glasses also have colored sequins but in the shape of flowers.
Usage Rights:
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