Mickey Mouse is turning 90 this December, and the art world is throwing him a party! Over the last couple of months, pop-up art installations have debuted in San Francisco, Chicago, and in Los Angeles ahead of the November opening of the “Mickey: The True Original Exhibition” in New York City.
San Francisco hosted Kenny Scharf’s “The Cosmic Cavern,” a black light pop culture Fantasia. As a child growing up in Los Angeles in the 1960’s, Scharf was happy whenever out of town guests visited his family, because it meant a trip to Disneyland! His Day-Glo visual time warp includes hidden and not-so-hidden Mickeys, along with an array of mementos from his childhood. The multimedia collaboration with one of the most recognizable pop icons in the world is titled “A Classic Timepiece Meets A Timeless Classic,” and celebrates one of the first Mickey Mouse licensed products: the watch. Scharf began his career as an NY street artist and muralist but has worked in all mediums and disciplines, bridging fine art with mass appeal. You can watch a 360-degree video of The Cosmic Cavern below
https://youtu.be/CJFjC_GMfmw
Los Angeles based artist Amanda Ross-Ho has designed an oversized classic Mickey tee for the Chicago pop-up. It is on display at the historic Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.
Wrapping things up is Shinique Smith’s Los Angeles installation inspired by Mickey plush. Titled “Bale Variant No. 0026 (Ode to Mickey Mouse, My First Love).” It was in the courtyard of DTLA Lupetti Pizzeria, and we were on hand for the grand reveal.
The revealed installation with the artist, Shinique Smith.
Lots and lots of Mickey plush. How many different eras of plush can you spot?
The top is adorned with a 90th Anniversary Mickey Mouse plush.
Some more images of the venue…
All three of the exhibits from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago are being moved to “Mickey: The True Original Exhibition” for it’s opening in just two weeks. It’s sure to be this holiday season’s hottest ticket in New York! Running from November 8 through February 10, 2019, this immersive exhibition curated by Darren Romanelli, AKA DrX, will explore the creative influence Mickey has had on art and pop culture. Tickets are on sale now at partners.disney.com/mickey-the-true-original-exhibition.
Timeless Icon | Mickey: The True Original Exhibition
What do you folks think about Shinique’s piece? Let us know in the comments below.
