BOSTON, MA.- Just two weeks before the close of his blockbuster exhibition at the
Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, Shepard Fairey returns for Obey Experiment REDUX, a spectacular evening of art and music on the Boston waterfront. On Friday, July 31, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., visitors can view Faireys visually arresting (NY Times) work in the exhibition Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand, before hitting the dance floor as the artist himself takes over the turntables. Fairey will be joined by frequent collaborator Z-Tripwith a special appearance by Public Enemys Chuck D.
A private lounge is accessible to VIP ticket holders, who can join Fairey in celebrating the exhibition before he starts his set.
It is Faireys second attempt to perform at an ICA Experiment; the artist was arrested by Boston Police while making his way to the first Obey Experiment on Feb. 6, the opening day of his exhibition.
Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand is the ICAs most popular exhibition since opening the landmark new museum in 2006. Attendance has reached nearly 100,000, and will likely go on to become one of the highest-attended exhibitions of any contemporary art museum in the United States this year.
The exhibition has had enormous appeal for young audiences; since the show opened, almost 5,000 students have visited the ICA on school tours, more than double the number from last year. Earlier in the day on July 31, a group of local teens and members of the ICAs Teen Arts Council will have the chance to speak with Fairey about his work and go on a special tour of the exhibition led by the artist himself.
I am overwhelmed by Bostons positive response to the exhibition at the ICA, says Fairey. I was not able to attend the opening night party, but look forward to celebrating the exhibitions successful run at the ICA with the many Bostonians who came to see it.
Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand has surpassed all our aspirations for audience, debate and diversity. People of all ages and backgrounds have come to see Faireys work including the now iconic Obama Hope poster in an exhibition that clearly reveals both the artists powerful mastery of artistic tradition and his influence on todays visual culture, says ICA Director Jill Medvedow.
Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand is on view at the ICA through Aug. 16, 2009. The exhibition will travel to the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh (Oct. 17, 2009 to Jan. 30, 2010) and the Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati (Feb. to May 2010).