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Discount Saints
Ghetto Mary and Papi Jesús are the stars in Melanie Gonzalez’ new multimedia art show ‘Discount Saints.’ A subversive exhibit of photography, video, and sculpture interweaves religious iconographies, New Yorkers, and symbols of beauty and class in the form of commonplace dollar store objects. Adaptations of saints decked out in dollar store paraphernalia are deified across the wall in large scale portraits, while velitas with the saints’ image are available for purchase on an altar nearby. Other pieces include a video recreation of a pieta scene traditionally illustrated as the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus. But instead of using conventional iconography, Gonzalez shows herself costumed in gold hoops and a hairnet holding a bearded guy wearing chains and a mesh tank top. Last but not least is a cross constructed from gold doorknocker earrings and hair clips; tucked away in a corner cove, it’s meant to be considered with reverence and contemplation. Go pay homage. The show is up until January 30th.
Medianoche
1355 Park Avenue (at East 102nd street)
New York, NY 10029