Framed Album click HERE
Prints click HERE
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Gallery 1988 was the first gallery to really understand that not all galleries need to be full of artwork that nobody understands, but they pretend to so as not to look like an idiot in front of other people doing the same. Pop culture has had a major influence on me throughout my entire life, so when Gallery 1988 came around, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The new show is entitled "We Made Them Do It" and it's a nod to the fact that the success of Gallery 1988 has inspired many others to follow suit and do themed shows based off of various pop culture icons. But what about those shows, or movies that never really quite rose to the level they deserved. Why does a show like Breaking Bad get it's own gallery show, but Walker Texas Ranger only lives on in the mind of Chuck Norris? Well, now 1988 has a solution.
"We Made Them Do It" gives a voice to all of those beloved yet unrepresented classics.
When I was told about the show, I immediately knew what I wanted to do. Saved By The Bell was one of the staples of my childhood. I wanted to be friends with Zack Morris, I thought AC Slater was so cool with the way he would sit backwards on chairs, and Kelly Kapowski was like a beautiful dream. I decided that it was only fitting to create an album for one of the greatest bands in the history of television; The Zack Attack!!
Along with pretty much every kid growing up in the late 80's and early 90's, I loved Saved By The Bell. What I loved about Saved By The Bell, or SBTB as i'll refer to it from here on out because it takes too long to type, was that Zack Morris was the popular kid, but he was friends with everyone. In real life, a kid like Screech and Slater would have never hung out because jocks and geeks just don't do that. And then there were the ladies. Lisa Turtle was way too uptight for my liking, but Kelly Kapowski and Jessie Spano were sweet, kind, and wholesome. I don't know if there are any shows on the air currently that have followed in the footsteps of Bayside High, but if there isn't, it's a damn shame because there should be. There always should be a show like this on for young teens because high-school can be terrifying. This show was special, and made something that haunts every 8th grader into something to look forward to.
A limited amount of signed/numbered prints will be available through the gallery. I'll post a link here when they go on sale online.
For each gallery show I create a one-of-a-kind framed album. The records included with the artwork always relate somehow to the subject matter:
Sadly, The Zack Attack never released a vinyl record, so I got my hands on the Pointer Sisters "I'm So Excited". Any SBTB fan will instantly know why I chose this record:
You may be thinking to yourself "But Joey, Jessie Spano wasn't in The Zack Attack" and you'd be correct. I don't know why she wasn't in that episode. In order to stay faithful to the show, I wasn't going to include Jessie, but my wife insisted she join the band. Kristin, I dedicate this artwork to you, and the 11 year old girl that used to seal her fan letters to Mark-Paul Gossellar with a kiss.
I wanted to stay true to the spirit of the show and so for the record label I painfully reproduced some early 90's design. I was going to use comic-sans but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead I found a font similar to the one Stussy used on it's clothing... Early 90's design was so ugly. Computers finally found their way into the hands of graphic designers and everyone lost their minds (and design sense apparently).
So sit back, relax, press play, and enjoy the soothing sounds of Zack Morris, AC Slater, Screech Powers, Kelly Kapowski, and Lisa Turtle. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present "Friends Forever":
"We Made Them Do It" at Gallery 1988 West
Opening Friday July 26th 7-10pm
Gallery 1988
7308 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
http://www.gallery1988.com
3 comments:
I loved SBTB! I watched it religiously without shame. So glad I wasn't the only one....and yes...I was crushing on Zach...what teenage girl didn't?
But Jessie was a member of "The Zack Attack." In the episode "The Last Dance" she sings both songs they perform. The drumhead clearly stated "Zack Attack."
Great art!
This is fantastic!
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