FATHER MATERIAL
Utilizing video, tee-shirts, mens ties, and ‘pop-up’ collage, Stephen Anderson’s take on “Father Material” is cynical, judgmental and humorous.
Just watch “Cops” or “Jerry Springer” or the slew of reality TV shows to note that mankind is doomed.
Becoming a father in the literal sense is far too easy, add to it modern fertility drugs and the flood of “erection” pills it’s quite ironic to call it the “miracle” of birth.
With the amount of child abuse and kids put up for adoption, living in foster homes or engaged in slavery it’s crazy that people need a license to drive but anyone with a penis can become a father.
installation images
Vows (Love, Honor, Obey)
Stephen Anderson
Vows (Love, Honor, Obey)
2010
Bowling trophies, used books
The marriage vows dissected by the titles of used books stacked below a trophy each with a label; LOVE, HONOR, OBEY
Labeled (Series of 24)
Stephen Anderson
Labeled
2010
Digital print on tee-shirts
24 tee shirts
Posing the question of using one word to describe a positive and negative trait when one thinks of ‘father’ Stephen surveyed friends and family for the one word answers.
These words were then designed by Stephen to convey the words feeling. Then digitally printed onto tee shirts.
The result is to expose or ‘label’ the wearer with what is often hidden or unknown qualities of an individual.
Tied (Series of 18)
Stephen Anderson
Tied
2010
Heat Transfer on men's ties
18 ties
Mug shots of celebrity fathers, heat-transferred on men's ties.
Breaking down the image of the idealized looked-up-to celebrity, on an item associated with domestication and authority.
- Bernie Madoff –Fraud
- Larry King –Grand Larceny
- David Bowie–Pot Possession
- Nick Nolte–DUI
- Kobe Bryant–Felony Sexual Assault
- Kid Rock–Battery
- Charlie Sheen–Domestic Violence
- Frank Sinatra–Adultery
- Michael Jackson–Child Molestation
- Van Winkle–Domestic Battery
- OJ Simpson–Murder
- Mel Gipson–DUI
- Andy Dick–Drugs and Sexual Battery
- Phil Spector–Murder
- Larry Craig–Disorderly Conduct
- Denis Rodman–Domestic Violence
- George Carlin–Public Indecency
- Joey Buttafuoco–Statutory Rape
Stephen Anderson
Material Issues
2010
Pop-up collages on hand-cut wood
Be Macho, Man
Stephen Anderson
Be Macho, Man
2010
Video
Duration - 4:45 minutes
Using vintage and modern footage, to weave a humorous narrative on being a man.
Men That Wear Robes
Stephen Anderson
Men That Wear Robes
2010
Video, fabric
Duration - 00:00:15
There are certain types of men that can get away with wearing robes in public.
