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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Samantha and Lindsay go Goth

Los Angeles artist Ben Tegel admits he has a fixation on Lindsay Lohan, and that is why he chose her as the subject for his latest work, "American Sapphic." The piece is a parody of the classic "American Gothic" and portrays Samantha Ronson and Lohan as the pitchfork-carrying farmer and his female companion, respectively.

"American Sapphic" will appear in an exhibit called Name That 'Toon at Hollywood's World of Wonder Storefront Gallery along with two other pieces by Tegel portraying Lohan.

Says Tegel: “[Lindsay], along with Britney, I suppose, embodied the fin-de-siecle celebrity archetype. Her child-star-turned-drug-addict-turned-lesbian narrative seems to sum up the way fame operates in the 21st century. I’m really interested to see what happens in the next chapter of her character’s storyline.”

Hmm. The last time I checked, the "child-star-turned-drug-addict-turned-lesbian narrative" happened in real life. As far as I know, Lindsay Lohan's life isn't The Truman Show, although it may seem like it on occasion.

And did he just say "the fin-de-siecle celebrity archetype"? Seriously? It seems that Ben Tegel embodies the 2009 pretentious hipster archetype. (Then again, it is somewhat amusing that he technically referred to Lindsay Lohan as embodying the celebrity archetype of the turn of the 19th century, but I digress.)

Let's look at the other two pieces in the exhibit starring Lohan.

The second piece, entitled "Rehabville," originally appeared in Flaunt magazine. Lohan appears alongside Pete Doherty, Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse. "Rehabville" is shown in the video below. Lohan is naked and being groped by two disembodied hands. Okay, creepy. Pass.

The third, originally advertising a September 2007 performance by Hollywood-based garage band The Vacation (of which Ben Tegel is a member) at the Viper Room, can also be described as "meh." All right, we all know Lindsay Lohan suffered an unfortunate period of drug and alcohol abuse, but heavens, she was never caught with a crack pipe! According to the tabloids, she reportedly liked cocaine served the old-fashioned way. Get your celebrity drug references right, Mr. Tegel!

I know the Lindsay-using-drugs references are a bit outdated, so I won't ask your opinion on the latter two pieces. So what do you think of "The American Sapphic"? I believe he nailed Sam's expression. I truly believe that one day Sam will wake up and find her facial muscles locked in that oddly sexy smirk/scowl hybrid. Well done on Sam, Ben. Well done.

  • Grace Chu's blog
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  • sibo's picture

    I like the "american sappbic" one too...

    tegel did a very nice job on protraiting them both... the other ones are not as nice @ all!... very creepy
    Rach's picture

    Meh is the word

    Honestly I don't care much for it, and American Gothic has been done to death. Just not very imaginative in my opinion.

    never met a pearl quite like you

    that could shimmer and rot at the same time through

    akiraj's picture

    He could have been more

    He could have been more creative so I completely agree with you.
    Lucas's picture

    The first image, I have to

    The first image, I have to admit, I found midly amusing. The others, how ever, are just distasteful. Not to mention badly drawn, it seem to me like he just tacked heads onto the bodies afterwards.
    cosmiccowgirl's picture

    Why is Samantha Ronson so

    Why is Samantha Ronson so much taller? Isn't Lindsay actually the taller one?

    Casee's picture

    I think he's trying to keep

    I think he's trying to keep in line with the original painting, in which the man is taller than the woman.  The hat makes her look taller too.

    Chilaxing's picture

    I don't like the one of her

    I don't like the one of her with the crack pipe. And yup, Ronson's scowl is right on.

     

    Luscious Lauren's picture

    I think it's ridiculous.

    He uses real people who have gone through real problems that they go through just like everyone else. It's not very classy this "art" that he does.

     

     

    I GIVE ALL THREE 2 THUMBS DOWN.

    Casee's picture

    Art isn't meant to be

    Art isn't meant to be classy.

    Abril's picture

    I think the first one is

    I think the first one is kind of amusing. The other two are trash. Cheap trash.

    ------------------------------------------- 

    They told me I should just concentrate and breathe

    With little lungs I

    Breathe

    Jules's picture

    i forgot that american

    i forgot that american gothic was even real, i'd seen it so many times.  when it appeared in my art history textbook, i freaked out.
    Hollywood Marie's picture

    Whoa, The Vacation....

    ...that's a flashback from my "straight" days.  They were definitely pretentious (dirty) hipsters.
    Lowell's picture

    LL

    can we finally put to rest the idea that lindsay was an "addict"? just because you use/d drugs does not automatically mean you're an addict.

    there is such a thing as recreational use.

    RavenDenise's picture

    Not trying to troll here

    Have you ever wondered what drug rehab was for?  My sister just got out of one, and lemme tell ya, recreational users don't go to or even think of those facilities.

     

    On topic. American Gothic WAYY over done. Personally I would have loved to have seen "The Scream."

    rebelzz's picture

    I'm a fan of Lindsay

    I'm a fan of Lindsay Lohan... I think the art is fine. It's a free world, people can express themselves, but I feel it really sad for her that people can never get over her past.

    "Judge Marsha N. Revel told Lohan's attorney that the actress has been complying with the terms of her probation but needs to show her treatment program better documentation to avoid future court problems. The judge also noted that Lohan has not failed any drug or alcohol tests."

    You know... She acts crazy, but she's normally crazy, not under influence. She passed all drug tests people!

    Polyester Queen's picture

    Total Pretentious Hipster

    I don't feel strongly either way about the art, but the artist annoys the shit out of me.
    Keeva99's picture

    Booooring

    Not the article (i heart you Grace)...lol...the artwork...boooring...

                                     

    "I know you're lonely. I think you need someone to want you. Well, I do want you. So be brave, and want me back."

    Shannon's picture

    Trying far too hard

    First off, tasteless.  Secondly, done to death (as a previous poster stated).  Thirdly, I'm soooo tired of that expression on SR's face!  Not meaning to hate, but seriously, I'm certain she can come up with SOMETHING else.  It's ridiculous, and I really do think she's trying too hard to brand that goofy look.  -__-  I don't find it sexy.  

    ~Without risk, there can be no innovation.  Without innovation, there can be no advancement. ~

    afterval's picture

    mpf

    The Goth one is kinda cool, though it's been done a zillion times. The rest is awful. (It's weird 'cos I happen to have a sort of fixation on Lindsay too, which as a grown up and respectful young woman with a life of her own is so embarassing.)