Family Guy As Pop Art
“Family Guy,” the subversive Fox animated comedy that was twice canceled and then returned to the airwaves by popular demand, has once again broken new ground; it serves as the inspiration for an entirely original series of artwork which will have its Los Angeles debut November 8, 2006 at The Museum of Television & Radio. 20th Century Fox Television Licensing & Merchandising Presents “What The Deuce Are You Staring At!?! A Collection of Interpretive Work Inspired by Family Guy,” the first Pop Surrealist exhibition of new works inspired by a television series. Featuring the new pieces of twenty-one emerging artists, the exhibit remains on public view through
In an industry first, Fox commissioned this series of original art as a celebration of the passion of the “Family Guy” fans and the creative spirit embodied in the show. Earlier this year, Fox challenged 21 artists of the Lowbrow Pop Movement to take the show’s characters, design and sensibility as a starting point and literally let their imaginations run wild. The result is a wholly original and eclectic series of images in a variety of media that bear the unmistakable “Family Guy” imprint through the prism of each artist’s entirely unique style and perspective.
The exhibit will be on display to the general public at The Museum of Television & Radio in
A tour of animation galleries both in the
Curated by Fox L&M Creative Manager Wendell Riggins, the exhibit features new works by Lowbrow Pop artists from across the country, who in various media including oil, acrylics and collage, riff on the “Family Guy” characters in much the same way as the animated series itself takes on pop culture icons every week.
Combining elements from various sub-cultural influences, the Lowbrow Pop or Pop Surrealist movement dates back to the 1970s and has its roots in underground comics and the alternative gallery scene of
All of the work featured in the exhibit evinces the same sly, subversive humor and pop culture references that are dominant elements in the Lowbrow vernacular and of course, in “Family Guy” itself. This humor and worldview represents the fundamental connection between the television show and the gallery exhibit.
A private gala opening for press and invited guests kicks off the exhibit’s run on
The Museum of Television & Radio, located at
On Tuesday, November 14, Fox Home Entertainment releases “Family Guy” Volume Four, a collectible three-disc set featuring 14 episodes and a host of never-before-seen extras, including commentary on every episode with 43 deleted scenes; three featurettes: “A Director’s Life: Debunking The Myth,” “Peter Shin Draws Stewie,” “A Tour Of The Family Guy Offices;” 5 extended cut episodes with optional censored audio track, a Rom-enabled link to more exclusive content online and more. The “Family Guy” Volume Four DVD Collection is available for the suggested retail price of $39.98 US/$54.98
“Family Guy” airs Sundays at
About Family Guy:
Heading up the eclectic Family Guy household is Peter Griffin, a big, boisterous, lovable oaf who isn't afraid to say what's on his freakin' mind -- usually the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. He lives in Quahog, Rhode Island, with his wife, Lois, and their three children -- Chris, Meg and Stewie, a brilliant, sadistic baby bent on destroying the world. And, don’t forget Peter’s well-spoken, cynical best friend, Brian, the family dog. Executive producer/creator Seth MacFarlane has the distinction of being the youngest person to be an executive producer. Family Guy debuted after the Super Bowl in 1999, and in 2004, Family Guy made television history when Fox ordered the previously canceled show back into production due to its extraordinary fan support in both DVD sales and repeat broadcasts on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.
