Post American Dream

America has become a true source of inspiration, portrayed from every angle by a new artistic scene. The great names of street-art (Gomor, DN or Banksy) as well as the pioneers of figurative painting (James Earley) or digital art (Max Papeschi) denounce the excesses of consumerism, through ironic and falsely childish works. These committed artists can be found on Artsper, one of the international leaders in online art sales.

This satyr of America already existed in the 60’s through the works of major artists such as Tom Wesselmann, Robert Doisneau or Andy Warhol in a completely different genre. Between celebrating a wealthy America and overconsumption, they often paint an amusing portrait of an artificial planet that is both subversive and conformist.

American mid-century modern life inspires creative people. In 2001, the English photographer Richard Heeps set his lens on American Dream clichés from the 1940s and 50s. In a book entitled « Man’s Ruin », his highly colourful and saturated images show pin-up girls transformed into plastic dolls, closed motels and abandoned amusement parks. These outdated symbols depict another reality of the fantasized America of the fifties.

Thus, American chauvinism is derided by artists of all kinds. Leading the way is Martin Parr, who humorously denounces this kitsch patriotism by photographing the omnipresent flags, star spangled banners and colourful rosettes. A sharp and sometimes ironic look at a part of America.

In a disastrous social, health and economic context, artists are asserting themselves to denounce Donald Trump’s political excesses. The art scene depicts these social injustices, like Justin French in his political photography series « The Unwilling Martyrs » which addresses the « Black Lives Matter » movement. British artist Banksy also expresses his anger towards racial discrimination and police violence, paying tribute to George Floyd with a new work shared on Instagram last June.

The American Dream is also hijacked by big names like Jeremy Scott, artistic director of the Italian brand Moschino. For his FW Collection 18-19 he has fun displaying an army of Jacky Kennedy. Inspired by the timeless elegance of the First Lady and a conspiracy theory around President JFK, he revisits his iconic suit in vibrant, tangy and kitschy colours.

The seventh art is inspired by a standardised America with decors that give pride of place to die-cut houses, roads without pavements, and a landscape of garage doors.  In this aseptic setting, the directors capture the hysteria of the upper-class American class as well as social misery.

The sunny America of swimming pools, palm trees and colourful motels is also criticised by the creative duo Isabel and Helen. Inspired by David Hockney, their installation « No Diving » plays with the Californian oasis: foam deckchairs, confetti pool, cardboard palm trees, surrealism takes visitors to a revisited version on the Palm Springs of the 60’s. Immersed in this same universe, the singer Beyoncé exaggerates the image of the pin-up girl in « Why don’t you love me ».