What's That Really Huge View-Master Doing at the JoAnne Artman Gallery?

Submitted by the JoAnne Artman Gallery:

A Video Installation by Fine Art Photographer Jana Cruder in collaboration with Industrial Model and Design.

Feeling Nostalgic… The View-Master system was introduced in 1939, four years after the advent of Kodachrome color film made the use of small high-quality photographic color images practical. Through a series of vignettes, shown on two side-by-side films, Jana explores the societal and relationship roles through the icons of BARBIE and KEN while creating a unique individual viewer experience.

All That Glitters Is Gold… Handmade out of MDF fiberboard: Shaped, Sanded and Painted. Replica is a direct enlargement of a 1954 BAKELITE VIEWMASTER. Scaled to H: 74” x W: 38” x D:36.” Paint is a metallic automotive paint with clear coat varnish.  Comes complete with Retro style golden SKULL CANDY HEADPHONES.  Video is a stop motion film created from the stills of the series “Great Expectations;” shot on location at two separate private residences in Palm Springs, CA. Video is remote controlled with music by BOATHOUSE: “Shacked and Barreled” and “Will I Travel.”

Jana Cruder, born and raised in western Pennsylvania, fell in love with photography in her early teens. Jana’s dad built her a darkroom where she spent countless hours teaching herself how to process and print film. She went on to graduate from the prestigious photography program at Rochester Institute of Technology. In Jana's series “Great Expectations,” Barbie becomes ‘Working Barbie’ and Ken enters the story. Since the economy is down, Ken who is un-employed assumes the role of ‘Domestic Ken’ and spends his time entertaining himself at Barbie’s expense. As Barbie gets deeper into her career she notices Ken’s increasingly distracted. Conflicted himself, he finds he enjoys spending his time with his new BFF Joe. The story of these three plays out through a series of vignettes into the subtle dysfunctions of seemingly perfect relationships. This is an exploration and examination of the importance of appearance and how the societal roles of woman, man, husband and wife are learned and how the influence of today’s media and culture shape us through icons such as Barbie and Ken.

Jana Cruder’s work will inspire, provoke, engage and mesmerize.