Statement

C H R I S T I A N M I C H A E L S

Media itself is the message in these works, addressed using raw images originally purposed for mass communication. This shows up in the form of enlarged halftone dots, paper fibers, strong color and bold graphics. The subject matter often depicts iconic figures that hold a political if not historical context.

“Interest in media itself began when growing up across the street from Publisher’s Clearing House, granting easy access to a multitude of magazines. A 25 year career producing photography for everything from tabloid advertising to annual reports has led me to take a hard look at the media itself. Being a self-proclaimed “news junkie” hasn’t helped. Influences are primarily from the Pop Art movement, including Warhol, Lichtenstein, Haring and Robert Heinecken.”

These series are continuously growing - broken down by the following characteristics:

ShowTime Series

The ShowTime series developed out of a personal fascination with promotional graphics and subject matter surrounding B-grade movies from the 1950's and 60's. Perhaps the historical context of America at the time is most interesting. This just preceded 1967's Summer of Love, the equal rights movement, and the sexual revolution. Threats to accepted mores were beginning to surface in theaters with movie titles like “Sin You Sinners” and “Unwed Mother”. This series comes from small, black and white advertisements found in period newspapers announcing the showtimes for these films. Reworking enlarged scans of these ads with color treatments seemingly enhance the graphic style of the time, with the desired effect bringing the viewer back in time to the sensibility of that period. These ads are testament to common themes and the popularity of drive-in theaters at that time. Local ads for striptease clubs and other shows add to that flavor.

Face Value

These works examine the connection between two or more public figures. Eyes are conjoined to illustrate similar or contrasting worldviews of the subjects. Faces are sometimes completely overlayed to create an entirely new individual in order to beg the question “Given what they represent, what would these people look like if they were one and the same person?” Piece titles humorously reveal the associations.

American Dreamers Series

These pieces take a look at the potential value systems derived by American media. Images are juxtaposed to enhance their relation and meaning to each other. Some images were even found to be printed back to back from each other on their original media, their meaning inferred when backlit.

IconoClash

Shapes and icons are visually constructed to convey new meaning. Juxtaposition, texture and color treatments throw their original meaning into question, with the viewer left comparing and contrasting the two.

Photographs

This series comprises images directly derived directly via photography. These pieces conceptually depict man’s relationship with media and communication, with the intention of putting that relationship into question.