Calling all weed lovers: The Oakland Museum of California will open “Altered State: Marijuana in California” on April 16 (although we have to say, we’re surprised they didn’t set a date four later, when the undocumented stoner festival begins).
Although the exhibition will not focus on art but rather start a discussion about drugs, their use and the social and political issues that are changing around them, we think it is a good excuse to explore some of the best paintings of this era. . See our favorites below.
1. Fred Tomaselli, Super Plant
Fred Tomaselli has finished all kinds of things in resin-covered compositions, including insects, seeds, butterflies and flowers, but this 1994 project is dedicated only to marijuana. The black background and minimalistic style reflect the beauty of the plant without compromising Tomaselli’s signature style. The Super Plant now resides in the Hort Family Collection in New York.
2. Dan Colen, Marijuana for Life
The first son of Dan Colen is sober now, but in 2006 he created a tribute to marijuana in this form of advertising. To create this work, Colen shot a 1969 Life cover, which features a frontal marijuana cigarette with two lips.
3. Chris Burden, Newcastle Coals
Burden used marijuana in many of his shows, but Coals for Newcastle, which he performed on December 17, 1978, was one of his wildest. Named after the English language that suggests a no-nonsense attitude, Burden flew two joints from California (grown in the United States) to Mexico in airplanes with signs such as “Hecho in U.S.A.”, “Fumenlos Muchachos” and “Topanga Typica”.
4. Mélanie Bernier’s spliff package
Mélanie Bernier, a musician and artist, creates beautiful joints from vinyl, fabric and thread and even makes fake wooden joints to go with them – fabric for those who choose not to breathe.
5. Ricardo Cortés, It’s just a tree
Artist, illustrator and author Ricardo Cortés’ offbeat children’s book, Marijuana: It’s Just a Plant, may not be every parent’s choice for bedtime reading, but it proves that Pots are something that millions of people use every day and that children will eventually become familiar with. – may be from an unreliable source. Fun fact: Cortés is also the author of the hilarious adult lullaby parody Go The Fuck to Sleep.
6. Tom Sachs, Bong Hitting Station
Tom Sachs’ tongue-in-cheek, no-nonsense video Bong Hit Station, released in 2013, provides beginners with a detailed (and uncomplicated) guide to getting high. We challenge your average stoner to try and replicate these techniques here.
7. Robert Arneson, an artist in California
Addressing the misidentification, he felt he had been given as an artist working in California, Robert Arneson created the rock sculpture California Artist, in which he portrayed himself as a hippie king of the forest in a denim jacket. open, salty and bearded and, you guessed it, a potted plant.
8. Bentley Meeker, Bongolier
Lighting designer Bentley Meeker mixes high and low culture with “Bongoliers,” chandeliers made from recycled glass bongs. The paintings combine different light sources, some reflecting different colors and others on the shadier side.
Is it like something you have to see to believe? Three of the Bongoliers will be exhibited at the National Arts Club in New York, from October 28 to November 7, 2015.