EXHIBITION
On view as part of 2018 MFA THESIS EXHIBITIONS
March 4 – April 6, 2018
The Art Gallery at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
COOL KOOL SHIRTS PRESENTS: THOT COLLECTION SERIES 1 BY DANA JONES by Khari Saffo
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I work in a variety of mediums such as animation, sculpture, video, and shirt design. Within my practice I find ways to connect each of these mediums within the same project. Currently, I am interested in exploring conceptual themes within commercial practices. I have a shirt brand titled Cool Kool Shirts within the brand I explore the themes of brand loyalty and brand persona through my brand spokesperson/mascot Dana Jones. Dana Jones is portrayed by me wearing a cardboard head mask. As advertisements for the brand, I create a series of live-action videos, animations, and comics. Dana Jones himself is an artist who creates sculptures from melted vinyl records.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
All events are free and open to the public.
Opening reception
Sunday, March 4, 2018
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Thesis defense
Friday, March 23, 11:00 a.m.
DESCRIPTION:
I’m exploring the relationship between an art practice with a commercial market through my artist persona Dana Jones and his relationship as the spokesperson for my shirt brand Cool Kool Shirts. In order to sustain himself and his art practice Dana Jones receives funding from Cool Kool Shirts. In return, the shirt brand uses his image and art to sell t-shirts. As the relationship grows Cool Kool Shirts wants more influence on Dana’s art and how it can promote the brand. Dana Jones’s goal is to create a completely autonomous concept. He forms sculptures made from melted vinyl records he calls thots. Dana creates each thot without actively thinking about the form to make shapes that represents an unfiltered piece of his stream of consciousness. My project consists of a wall installation of Dana’s thots. Embedded in the installation are animations displaying the relationship between Dana Jones and Cool Kool Shirts.
Website: www.kharicreates.com
Instagram: @khari_creates
Gallery hours + admission:
Mon. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Closed Saturdays; Prince Kūhiō Day, Mar. 26; Good Friday, Mar. 30;
Easter, Apr. 1.
By appointment: Spring Break, Mar. 27 – 29.
Free admission. Donations are appreciated.
Parking fees may apply.
SPONSORS: University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Department of Art + Art History and College of Arts + Humanities; and supported by Waikiki Parc Hotel – Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH Mānoa; Student Activity and Program Fee Board, UHM; and anonymous donors.
Image (top):
Khari Saffo
Work-in-progress (detail), 2017