The Great War of the Californias
is an American-born painter and filmmaker from Southern California. His repertoire of creative projects is extensive including multiple national and international exhibitions and two films.
Birk’s points of interest are predominantly related to contemporary American Culture with an emphasis on social issues and social justice.
I had the privilege of encountering Birk’s work at a Tableau Vivant (French for “Living Picture”) event, known to many as the Pageant of the Masters (featured in TV series Arrested Development). In the Pageant, actors are costumed and made-up to look exactly like the subjects of famous pieces of art from human history.
In 2011, I witnessed the collection of Sandow Birk and I want to share that experience with you.
From the mouth of the Artist: “In Smog and Thunder: The Great War of the Californias – A series of artworks depicting an imaginary war between San Francisco and Los Angeles, incorporating more than 120 artworks, including paintings, drawings, prints, faux war posters, maps, diagrams, models, and video documentary.”
May I present The Great War of The Californias.
“Join the SF Marine Corps!”
“Down with Hollywood”
“LAPD is really your friend!”
“Bomb the Bay!”
“The Battle of San Francisco”
“The Bombing of Fort Point (Battle of San Francisco)”
“The Triumph of the ‘S.S.San Francisco’”
“San Francisco on the Ruins of Her City”
“Portrait of Gen. Juan Gomez de Los Angeles (The Battle of San Francisco)”
“The Great Battle of Los Angeles”
“Portrait of Lt. Cmdr. Rebecca Jordan”
“Portrait of Lt. Quincy Salerno”
Shmo
Seeing this for myself at Pageant was a treat. Each work has a tongue in cheek mix between classical interpretation of war as well as modern ‘cartoonish’ icons (free ATM flag, fallen skateboarder, Ducati ‘steed’). The dichotomy makes you giggle and yet the images depict the dark consequence of war. The larger portraits are a Where’s Waldo? of California icons. Loved it.