McDermott & McGough - Presentation

        The work of McDermott and McGough is based on themes of Time and Nostalgia, how time is fleeting, and this relates to Simulations in that their work reflects a hyper reality, an imaginary life. During the 80s and 90s, they lived the style and wore clothing of mid-19th to mid 20th century, immersing themselves in the period of the Victorian era. They were so immersed that they even converted a townhouse to its authentic mid-19th century ideal, devoid of all modern conveniences. This later became part of their life style, converting homes and studios to fit such ideals, and they even went as far as having a "continued, lived performance." Most of the work they created were the result of such performances. An important note is that the two identified as homosexual and were in a relationship, but with the time period and still to this day homophobia exists, changing modes and tactics showing that it is still as strong as ever. With relations to Simulations, there is a close relationship with the ideas of Disneyland 

"If we’e to presume that such lives, such histories, are now firmly in the past, can we not make available a more gracious - - perhaps a more vital - - tribute?"

"Our work was not just about the past…it was about time, and how time is fleeting"

"I’ve seen the future and I’m not going"

       The first series of works they produced were oil paintings with text. The artwork that put them out in the spotlight was the one on the far left; "A Friend of Dorothy, 1943" created in 1986. This work includes homophobic terms that were used in the old centuries. Then we move into the two other paintings that showcase an old art style and still include some text, but objects and ideas of the time period, the 1930s and 1940s, are also present. 

   

    

        The next series of early works are portraitures made as cyanotype prints. The idea with these is still that Victorian era style of old formal dressing and living. We can also see this through the wallpaper, the top hats and formal wear, the cards and glass cup. The both were heavily invested in the cuffs, collars, and bow ties. One thing to bring up for the third image is that this is a portrait of one of the artists that shows them laying down with a bible, focusing on oppression and focusing also on the teachings of the religion. These were made in the early 2000s with the exception of the far left.

                

        This next few series of works focus on this comic style plus old films style. In this series of works we see that displayed, especially with the idea of superhero’s from the left with objects from the 1950s and 1960s. On the right we have text from these comics, the very bold and the style that conveys the emotion of what the text says. Similar to it, the next series of works based in the 1960s connects the comic book art style to that of old movies, the subjects reciprocating the emotions and expressions of the characters. Sometimes even adding a continuation to the story rather than reflecting it. Then finally we have a full focus with also bringing color into the film style. Once again we see objects from the 1960s. These were made in 2005 and 2006.

 

        We now come back to Simulations. McDermott and McGough created artworks during the late 20th and early 2000s that focus on the Victorian era and the early to mid 20th century. This is reflective of the hyper real and imaginary that is discussed in Simulations.