Oshkosh Public Museum presents REPLAY: The Exhibition

[We are happy to post the following press release from the Oshkosh Public Museum.]

Oshkosh Public Museum presents REPLAY: The Exhibition

Contemporary Artists Celebrate Comic Books, Superheroes, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and the Eternal Power of Pop Culture

Oshkosh, Wis. January 19, 2018 – Calling all pop culture fanatics, your favorite characters are coming to the Oshkosh Public Museum on February 18. REPLAY is a one-of-a-kind, multimedia group exhibition that draws inspiration from popular science fiction, movies, comics, and games.

With more than 30 pieces on display, using both traditional and unexpected media, REPLAY is delightful, whimsical, striking and often nostalgic as it harkens back to the stories, games and experiences of this iconic era. The selected group of talented artists featured in this exhibition have put a playful, modern spin on how these iconic characters are seen today. It challenges the way we view the storylines, and at the same time, reflect on the stories we hold dear about our community and its history. A keen-eyed guest will quickly find references to fan favorites, such as PAC-MAN, Wonder Woman and Darth Vader.

“This collection of works showcases the inspired energy that drives pop culture and makes geek enthusiasts of us all,” said Debra Daubert, Curator of Exhibitions. “REPLAY celebrates these iconic characters and the comic books, stories and animation from which they are found as part of our own modern mythology. Just as folktales, fairy tales and ancient myths say something about the cultures from whence they came - superheroes, mystical warlords and space explorers are our heroes, our stories, and commentary on our society.”

From Teletubbies to Tie Fighters, from LEGO® bricks to Rubix Cubes, the artwork in the REPLAY exhibition features something for the entire family. Since his emergence in the art world, Dave Pollot has been known for his ability to merge classic and contemporary stylings with a bit of tongue-and-cheek humor. The artist paints a second life onto the repurposed canvases he finds at thrift stores, including Flyin’ Solo, an elaborate turn of the century seascape with what appears to be a visitor disrupting the harmonious beach day, the Millennium Falcon preparing to land.

“Most everything that I’ve painted was based around something from my childhood, something that I’ve grown to love,” said Pollot. “The characters bring people together and give us something to root for, they give us something we can all believe in, and REPLAY allows us to re-experience these important icons through an artistic lens.”

The monumental-sized, vibrant and hyper-realistic works featured in this exhibition evoke a shared sense of nostalgia that pop culture fanatics of all ages and backgrounds can easily relate with. Pop culture is amplified on a fine art platform in a way no other collection has ever done. REPLAY is the ultimate throwback, combining mediums and artists the world over. This fun and lively exhibition will make you feel like a kid again!

REPLAY will be on display at the Oshkosh Public Museum, 1331 Algoma Boulevard, from February 18 through May 13. Regular hours are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. For more information about the Museum’s exciting events and exhibits, visit oshkoshmuseum.org, call 920.236.5799 or email museum@ci.oshkosh.wi.us.

About the Oshkosh Public Museum:

The Oshkosh Public Museum is a non-profit regional history museum, an amazing resource for research and discovery, entrusted with the care of more than 300,000 collections and historical documents representing the history, culture and heritage of the region.

The Museum is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Housed in the historic Sawyer home since 1924, the Museum brings history to life through quality exhibitions and special programs, engaging guests in ways that inspire discovery.