“The idea of a diet sock or a diet condom is just necessary!” said Matt Starr of his immersive installation at DKNY’s New Art City last night. Inspired by the idea of a city-sponsored future (we all love our Citi Bikes, right?) and his long love-hate relationship with dieting, Starr questioned what it would mean to have everything from slippers to cigarettes branded as “diet.” The answer came in the form of this work.
So, what exactly does a diet sock look like? It matched the pristine white-and-black logo bracelets, slippers, and signs all printed with the word "diet" and all for sale in the futuristic clear cabinet on display at the show.
Neon-haired girls and boys sat on Starr’s branded stationary bikes, while others jumped on the mini trampolines and played with the iPhones. One woman showed her disappointment when she found out the free stash of diet-branded condoms had been depleted. Others squeezed through the completely packed, overheated space to view art from OC friends Jeanette Hayes, Sandy Kim, Cole Mohr, Miyako Bellizzi, John Tuite, Carlos Santolalla, and more, while a mob of downtowners stood outside waiting to get in. The exhibition was curated by John and Carlos (both former OC models!) who together work under the name Raat City.
As a planned one-night-only group exhibition, Starr’s installation inhabited half of the gallery space—Styrofoam juice fountain, exercise machines, trampolines, grassy knoll, and giant interactive iPhone included––while the other artists shared their photographs, paintings, and mixed media pieces in the other half of the gallery.
“Do you think it’s okay if I stand on the AstroTurf?” questioned one attendant, referring to Starr’s so-called grassy knoll, yogic figure balanced on top. “It just feels so good!” She laughed and twirled around, staring at the subtle clouds projected on the ceiling, while one of the many girls with highlighter-yellow hair bounced atop a trampoline.
All of the artists who participated were asked to create work that represents downtown culture. “For me, the downtown scene is really about Juice Press and Organic Avenue,” said Starr. He continued, “Liquiteria, Soul Cycle, and David Barton.” Starr went on to eagerly explain that he’s always been a dieter, fasting by day and binging on peanut butter by night. “I thought, if I created a diet lifestyle where every product is diet, I can never break my diet. Whatever I do!” Starr said.
How very New York. This is one diet we want to be on.
See New Art City for yourself at The Safari in Soho––but be quick, it's only up for the next few days.
The Safari
355 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
So, what exactly does a diet sock look like? It matched the pristine white-and-black logo bracelets, slippers, and signs all printed with the word "diet" and all for sale in the futuristic clear cabinet on display at the show.
Neon-haired girls and boys sat on Starr’s branded stationary bikes, while others jumped on the mini trampolines and played with the iPhones. One woman showed her disappointment when she found out the free stash of diet-branded condoms had been depleted. Others squeezed through the completely packed, overheated space to view art from OC friends Jeanette Hayes, Sandy Kim, Cole Mohr, Miyako Bellizzi, John Tuite, Carlos Santolalla, and more, while a mob of downtowners stood outside waiting to get in. The exhibition was curated by John and Carlos (both former OC models!) who together work under the name Raat City.
As a planned one-night-only group exhibition, Starr’s installation inhabited half of the gallery space—Styrofoam juice fountain, exercise machines, trampolines, grassy knoll, and giant interactive iPhone included––while the other artists shared their photographs, paintings, and mixed media pieces in the other half of the gallery.
“Do you think it’s okay if I stand on the AstroTurf?” questioned one attendant, referring to Starr’s so-called grassy knoll, yogic figure balanced on top. “It just feels so good!” She laughed and twirled around, staring at the subtle clouds projected on the ceiling, while one of the many girls with highlighter-yellow hair bounced atop a trampoline.
All of the artists who participated were asked to create work that represents downtown culture. “For me, the downtown scene is really about Juice Press and Organic Avenue,” said Starr. He continued, “Liquiteria, Soul Cycle, and David Barton.” Starr went on to eagerly explain that he’s always been a dieter, fasting by day and binging on peanut butter by night. “I thought, if I created a diet lifestyle where every product is diet, I can never break my diet. Whatever I do!” Starr said.
How very New York. This is one diet we want to be on.
See New Art City for yourself at The Safari in Soho––but be quick, it's only up for the next few days.
The Safari
355 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013