Charlotte artists call out electronic media’s impact on society in vintage TV display
Looking to add some variety to your Friday night? A 12-foot tall, 4,000-pound multidimensional diorama will be unveiled Friday at the Wells Fargo Plaza in front of the Mint Museum. Intrigued? Act fast, because the diorama will only be around until Oct. 4.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown wrenches into just about everyone’s plans, but it sure isn’t stopping Charlotte-based artist Richard Lazes and his studio team from sharing art with the Queen City in a responsible and socially-distanced manner.
The larger-than-life outdoor diorama, “Tune In,” is meant to be thought-provoking, as well as entertaining, putting emphasis on valuable cultural assets, such as artists and museums that have been heavily impacted due to COVID-19, according to a press release.
Lazes said his goal is to ignite a conversation with viewers, allowing them to reflect on the impact electronic media has had and currently has on our society.
“The underlying theme of the installation is to reflect on the past through iconic TV shows from the ’60s,” Lazes said in a statement.
Lazes and local filmmaker Seth Koch installed six vintage televisions as a collage within the diorama that showcase different clips from significant media programming in history, such as snippets from “I Love Lucy,” “The Jeffersons,” “Sanford and Son” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” It also will showcase speeches from influential leaders in history, including John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
The installation’s unveiling, which also marks the Mint Museum’s grand reopening, will be a dual celebration involving food and live music. The celebration will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a jazz quintet from JazzArts Charlotte and a pay-bar on the second floor of the museum.
If you are unable to attend this Friday, there will also be a special performance Saturday at noon to celebrate the grand re-opening. Just be sure to snag your free admission ticket to help provide a comfortable experience for all.
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S. Tryon St.
Instagram: @themintmuseum
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 11:03 AM.
