I’m finally 21. I have walked this planet for 21 years. How is this real?!
Turning 21 means a lot of things for The Whisper Box. I can now officially gain entry to 21+ concert venues without asking for an artist interview beforehand. This means that even if I can’t sit down with a performer, I can still enjoy the show and review it for any publication.
Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015 by Hank Willis Thomas @ Jack Shainman Gallery on W 24th
After reading about this exhibit in New York Magazine a few weeks ago, I made it my business to see Hank Willis Thomas’ “Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015” at the Jack Shainman Gallery.
My obsession for the culture of the 1920s and 1950s really made me appreciate this exhibit. Interestingly, all of these portraits are advertisements striped of the words that go along with them. I wish I could go back in time to see Thomas’ earlier exhibit of the same concept, titled “Unbranded: Reflections in Black by Corporate America, 1968-2008.” I’m sure it was amazing.
The exhibit really makes you think about how different picture ads would be without words. They just look like normal pictures you’d see in a history textbook or on the wall in a nice house.
Not surprisingly, some of my favorites in the exhibit were ads from the 1920s and the 1950s. And also the ones that featured couples. Can’t help my hopeless romantic eye!
1. 1922 (left)
Ahh, courtship ❤
2. 1953 (far right)
Mary Kay cosmetics?
3. 1929
Why do I feel so concerned about them falling?!
4. 1939
In another life, I think I would have had a thing for sailors.
5. 1948 & 1947 (left & second from left)
Doesn’t the woman second from the left look a bit like Natalie Portman?
6. 1938
I’m glad Amelia Earhart was included in this exhibit 🙂
7. 1958 (right)
Pour it up, baby! (Probably some sort of beer ad)
Can we expect to see a “Century of Men” anytime soon Mr. Thomas?
Be sure to check out this exhibit before it closes on May 23rd!
The Whisper Box 