FARTING THROUGH PRETZELS:
February 27 – April 18, 2014, Vienna, Austria
Miami , FL
An excursion into the world of carnival and food advertising
Clifton Childree's current exhibition “Farting Through Pretzels” at GALERIE HILGER NEXT Wien 10 presents a parade of larger-than-life food characters, a Salt Water Taffy portrait gallery, and a washtub double bass collection waiting to be played. This unique, site-specific ensemble references carnival culture and early food advertising, and—like much of Childree’s work—is infused with an inherent playfulness.
For this exhibition, the American artist created several food characters—including a skiing hot dog and a cupcake balancing on a unicycle. Referencing classic food advertising from the 1920s, they appear to be victims of long neglect: battered props whose mechanical components broke down years ago. More homage than documentation, these sculptural objects are intentionally presented in a weathered and worn condition, allowing viewers a wide imaginative space to explore their past.
The framed Salt Water Taffy portraits—again housed in worn yet once-opulent frames—are actually “moving” images, constantly undergoing transformation. As the taffy (a toffee-like American confection) melts, slips, and reacts with the layers of epoxy resin, each depiction changes over time. The same playful uncertainty is inherent in works such as “Behind This Heart Lies a Chamber Pot”, “Soak Me in Cognac Ice Cream”, and “Soft Farts Thru Crushed Velvet”, whose messages literally emerge from slices of salami.
