I came across this selection of images yesterday and, for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about them. They’ were slipped together by @ceciliaazcarate of M&C Saatchi NY and, for me, they’re simply spellbinding. They compare pre-16th century works of art with modern day hip-hop artists.
What makes the collection work so well? I guess it’s because modern day rap stars take themselves so very, very seriously, and, as an independent observer that doesn’t particularly appreciate their music, they come off looking a little bit silly. You know, massive gold chains, many gold teeth, a permanent grumpy grimace, wearing sunglasses inside, minimal facial hair, women’s fur coats, all the danger signs your mum told you about:
At the same time, pre-Renaissance art has a childlike quality to it. The depictions of pomp and ceremony are grandiose but, because they hadn’t quite got perspective nailed yet, they’re kind of playful by mistake. Slightly infantile depictions of power houses.
The medieval guys in the paintings were probably kings and priests who attained their wealth and jewelry without any skills, they were either born into it or had the right friends.
The hip hop stars, although they will have had to work a bit, they kind of just talk over music rather than demonstrate any real talent. Don’t get me wrong, I know that there is skill involved in rapping, I just don’t think the most successful artists in the genre are necessarily the best at doing it; they may well be the best connected and wealthy though.
Enough waffle. Enjoy:
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