Pop Fiction Sculptures by Francesco De Molfetta

Michelangelo ©  Francesco de Molfetta
Michelangelo © Francesco de Molfetta

I’ve been a fan of Francesco de Molfetta ever since Okedoki turned me onto the Italian artist’s satirical sculptures with this comprehensive interview.

Astrobese © Francesco de Molfetta
Astrobese © Francesco de Molfetta

Toy Art Gallery‘s new space on Melrose in LA is currently showing Pop Fiction, an exhibition of sculpture by Francesco de Molfetta. One of the highlights of the show is the artist’s re-imagining of Michelangelo’s David via the Michelin man. Special to the TAG show, the life-sized Michelangelo has been produced as a 12-inch, limited edition of 20 porcelain art multiples. Per de Molfetta:

The intent is to bring an ancient Art icon out of the classical museum and meet it with a contemporary aesthetic. The world’s most famous sculpture (probably) the David by Michelangelo is re-interpreted in a more up-to-date way, camouflaged in a very futuristic Michelin man suit (white like him too!), and there he stands upright in his powerful proud pose. This visual short circuit gives birth to “Michel-angelo”, a great homage of a sculptor to the great master.

You need this piece next to your KAWS Chum!

Michelangelo porcelain multiple © Francesco de Molfetta
Michelangelo porcelain multiple © Francesco de Molfetta

Pop Fiction opened earlier this month and runs through November 4th.  I reached out to TAG to see if they might consider holding over the show for a day or two so that those of us in town for DesignerCon can check it out.  Click through for a few more pictures of Francesco de Molfetto’s social commentary (perfectly at home in Los Angeles, USA) and provocative pop culture sculptures.

Gundama © Francesco de Molfetta
Gundama © Francesco de Molfetta
Dictatorabbits © Francesco de Molfetta
Dictatorabbits © Francesco de Molfetta

Pop Fiction flier