Local Artist to Offer Talk and Book Signing
Nationally-recognized artist and Redding resident Robert Mars will give a presentation featuring his latest work, Futurelics: Past is Present, at the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 7:00 pm.
Mars is best known for his Neo-Pop multilayered, mixed media and collage art that celebrates cultural icons of the 1950s and 1960s, which he has dubbed “futurelics”. His work calls to mind pop art masters like Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Diebenkorn and Jasper Johns. His work examines the question of what it means to be “iconic”. Subjects such as Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss, and Jacqueline Kennedy are juxtaposed with familiar imagery like the Union Jack and the Chanel logo, while commercial products like Coca Cola bottles are plastered with the old New York Mets mascot.
At the April 5 event, Mars will give an artist talk on his work. Additionally, he will offer six of his pieces for sale and will donate 50% of the proceeds to the library’s Furnace Fund. After its boiler unexpectedly blew up in early January 2018, the library was forced to replace its furnace immediately – and in the midst of a frigid cold snap. There were also significant expenses incurred to keep the building safe until heat could be restored. The library is extremely grateful to Mars for this magnanimous gesture. Following the presentation, Mars will sign copies of the book, which will be available for purchase during the event. Those who already have a copy of the book are encouraged to bring it to the event for signing.
The Mark Twain Library is owned by the Mark Twain Library Association. It was founded in 1908 by Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain himself – one of Redding’s most celebrated residents.
Visit www.marktwainlibrary.org, for more information.