Suicide Socialite Preview (Jason Maynard's Paris Hilton sculpture) FREE May 11, 2007

Free



The Venice Contemporary Proudly Presents:
Paris Hilton: Suicide Socialite
Friday, May 11 - Sunday, May 13, 2007

Artist Reception: Friday, May 11, 2007, 6 - 8pm

Paris Hilton has reached immortality at The Venice Contemporary Gallery with the unveiling of an amazing life sized statue of today’s most talked about celebrity socialite. Artist Jason Maynard’s sculpture, entitled "Suicide Socialite," is the final piece in his 10-year exploration of the cultural relevance and symbolic reference to candy. The sculpture of Paris Hilton depicts the heiress sprawled out on a chez lounge with her wrists slit and candy spewing out of her veins.

The piece takes on the guise of neither the moral high ground, nor the role of a public service announcement. In reality, this sculpture speaks more of Maynard's masterful portrayal of the pinnacle of modern day mob mentality's ability to build higher and higher pedestals for their celebrity objects to sit - for the pleasure of seeing them fall.

Maynard brings his audience both the elegance of handling the subject through his medium, as well as the poise with which the subject effortlessly offers herself up for the taking. The Venice Contemporary proudly invites you to view this poignant and relevant piece of art for a very limited time.

Members of the Press are invited to come for a pre-unveiling photo opportunity at 5:00 pm this Friday, May 11. Note: The images on the website are from the preliminary wax version of the sculpture.

For press inquires or other info contact:
bill_lucas@deitygroup.com
(310) 621-7152

We eagerly await the chance to get a full viewing of Jason's new works in the aptly titled exhibition "Raw Power Moves", opening at The Venice Contemporary on Saturday, July 21, 2007.

Official Website: http://www.thevenicecontemporary.com/JasonMaynard.html