Liz OhanesianJoss Whedon's take on Marvel's dream team, The Avengers, hits U.S. theaters at midnight. With anticipation for the movie swelling, a host of hot artists brought their own renditions of the famed superheroes to Gallery 1988 on Melrose Avenue for “Assemble.”
The show, which actually takes place at a space across the street from the pop culture-centric gallery, is similar to Gallery 1988's recent Adult Swim event. There's a mix of gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces with hefty pricetags. However, there are also a lot of prints available, most of which are selling for around $45. “Assemble” opens today and will run through Sunday. Check out some of the standout pieces from the show here.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
12. N.C. Winters, Iron Legacy
Acrylic on paper, wood panel, resin
N.C. Winters paints some of the most breathtaking pop culture images you'll see. (Check out his Star Wars/My Little Pony piece featured in Cult Stars back in March.) But it's not just his depiction of Iron Man that's eye-catching, it's the way he framed the painting. The piece is mounted to a piece of wood that's covered in comic panels and then placed in a larger frame. Check out the photo below for more detail.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
11. Joey Spiotto, The Avengers – Assemble
Mixed media
Joey Spiotto makes awesome vinyl. His pieces look like they came out of a bin filled with novelty records. This Avengers album is one of my favorites from the show. I know have a fake tune for “We Have a Hulk” running through my head. Also, the Captain America vinyl is a nice touch.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
10. Hillary White, The Choice of the Avengers
Acrylic on canvas
From the Muppets to Gotye's video for “Somebody I Used to Know,” there are few pop-culture touchstones that Hillary White has left unturned. (Check out her Tumblr for more.) For “Assemble,” her debut show in Los Angeles, White plays on the mythology aspect of comic books by placing the superhero team inside Annibale Carracci's The Choice of Hercules.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
9. Misha, Avengers (Edo Period)
Mixed media
You might recall Misha from her amazing Star Wars/Super Mario Brothers mash-up paintings that we featured back in 2010. For this show, the L.A.-based artist merges her interests in American and Japanese culture with the famed superheroes set in an Edo period scene.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
8. Kyle McCoy, Earth's Mightiest Heroes
Perler fuse beads on painted canvas
Kyle McCoy used Perler fuse beads to create the pixelated look of The Avengers' characters in this piece. By merging comic book figures with the look of an old-school video game, McCoy creates a geek art dream.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
7. Nick Comparone, The Black Widow
Spray paint and collage on canvas
Yes, this is a gorgeous vision of Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, but it's the collage details that make this piece a real winner. Here's a detail shot — see if you can read the comic panels in the background.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
6. Carlos Ramos, SMASH!
Cel vinyl on wood
Carlos Ramos has tackled the films of Stanley Kubrick and the many images of David Bowie. Now he gives the Hulk his glossy, cel vinyl treatment.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
5. Luke Chueh, The Avenger
Acrylic and ink on paper
Luke Chueh is a local artist with an international reputation. He contributes to a lot of group shows and always injects a lot of fun into his pieces. Here, he creates a single Avenger, a hybrid superhero featuring the signature elements of the classic character designs. Read more about Luke Chueh in this L.A. Weekly interview from last year.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
4. Nathan Stapley, Group Hug
Acrylic on canvas
Friendships can be uncomfortable, especially if your buddy is the Hulk. Here, Nathan Stapley shows the rest of the Avengers trapped in the Hulk's warm embrace.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
3. Bennett Slater, Assemble
Oil on maple wood
Vancouver-based artist Bennett Slater's art is often reminiscent of Soviet-era poster art and that aesthetic is evident in his piece for “Assemble.” If this is propaganda to get us to see The Avengers this weekend, it's working.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
2. Sean Clarity, Life of the Party
Acrylic on board
Everyone's having a good time, but Iron Man has stuff on his mind. Don't mind the sullen superhero clutching his drink. He may be the facetiously named “Life of the Party,” but he'll be saving your life by the end of the night.
Credit: Liz Ohanesian
1. The Cake Mamas, The Avengers cupcakes
These gorgeous cupcakes were part of the “Assemble” preview night party and they definitely could be considered art. Made by the Cake Mamas, winners of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, each cupcake is topped by an edible tribute to the movie. Look closely for detailed sculpts of Iron Man and the Hulk as well as Thor's hammer.
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