THE DIOVADIOVA PROJECT  

CAN ART CREATE A CELEBRITY?

The Diovadiova* Project explores the relationship between art and celebrity.  Using my hybrid “combinism” technique, I re-present multiple images of a single model.  The eclectic paintings range from figurative work to portraiture using a combination of traditional realism methods and abstract design. While this series purposely increases public awareness about the model, it also reflects my ideas and experiences.  What follows is an explanation of how personal events and/or thoughts were incorporated in The Diovadiova Project preceded by a brief overview of how art and celebrity have affected each other in Western civilization.

ART AND CELEBRITY
In most societies, the use of art was once the primary way in which the public gained a collected mental image of someone.  Relevance to popular folklore (religious references or classical literature) or the sitter’s socio-economic position was established prior to the subject’s depiction in a work of art. Consequently, most artistic representation was reserved for historical figures, mythological characters and/or members of the elite. Visual depictions of gods, goddesses and other deities (such as ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and statues) and portraits of spiritual leaders (like Jesus Christ) demonstrate how religion and spirituality used art to sustain and bring awareness to various belief systems. 

Sometimes, both skillful artistry and constant repetition of a work of art can raise a subject’s celebrity.  Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, one of the most famous portraits in the world, has been reproduced in other paintings, textbooks, magazines, commercial merchandise, etc. The Mona Lisa has been the topic of various studies, theories and mysteries including; the illusion that she appears to look at the viewer from any angle, or her physical attributes indicate that she was pregnant, or it is a possible da Vinci self portrait.  Although the sitter’s identity has been in question for ages, the Mona Lisa is perhaps the first example of someone “being famous for being famous”.

As Western art became more involved in self-expression, i.e. creating work from a personal view point as opposed to fulfilling the demands of a commission, artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso used themselves as models.  Thus, their success increased popular recognizability of their faces. Andy Warhol turned himself into a “real life” celebrity figure donning a silver wig and dark shades while producing self-portraits.  He also used actors, athletes, politicians and members of high society as subjects, while simultaneously adding to their celebrity status. Contemporary artist Takashi Murakami has created a celebrity in the form of a cartoon character.  Both people of the art world and outsiders recognize Mr. DOB as his Mickey Mouse inspired model in paintings, sculptures and merchandising.

The Diovadiova Project positions images of an “ordinary” person against various visual motifs. The model is a pre-gentrified resident of New York City’s East Village.  The repetitive use of her image gradually increases recognition of her likeness.  Using both traditional and experimental techniques, she is presented as a goddess (Sunflower, Blue Ascension) or as a metaphorical figure addressing social and/or political issues (“MAMI”, Ms. America, Diovadiova Barbie Mariposa).

This on going study exposes the relevance of art in this era of mass communication and access to information. Can contemporary art produce a cultural icon “who is famous for being famous”? Mass media in the forms of “reality” television, YouTube and MySpace can produce instant celebrities regardless of ethnicity, race, gender, age and socio-economic background.  In today’s society, fame serves as a social equalizer.  It is no longer a matter of possessing above average physical aptitude, beauty, intellect or talent, but rather, being at the right place at the right time.  

Contemporary artists Jeff Koons, Marc Quinn and Daniel Edwards have also explored the relationship between art and celebrity.  Their respective sculptures of Michael Jackson, Kate Moss and Michelle Obama investigates modern idol worship, but ultimately their work relies on their subjects’ established popularity. Picasso’s use of muses transformed his models to cultural celebrities through innovative style techniques.  The tumultuous relationships he had with his muses also added significance to their lore. While other artists have also used muses as a part of artistic expression (and thus increased a person’s celebrity), The Diovadiova Project is a deliberate use of art to propel an individual’s presence into the public’s consciousness. 

*Diovadiova (pronounced“dee-oh-vah-dee-oh-vah”) is a combination of the Italian word for god (dio) and the Greek word for goddess (diva).

 

Kip Omolade, October 30, 2008