Jun 11, 2009
11:28 AM
The Life

Palm Springs Charcoal from artist Steve Maloney

Palm Springs Charcoal from artist Steve Maloney

Seven-minute flick directed by René Simon Cruz uses exhibit at local True Value Hardware to reveal artist’s playful take on American consumerism    

June 10, 2009 (Palm Springs, CA) – It may seem a giant leap from the outdoor grill display at the Palm Springs True Value to an international film festival, but California artist Steve Maloney has accomplished it in one step. The Rancho Santa Fe-based artist whose fascination with American pop culture and consumerism inspires his creativity, has fashioned Palm Springs Charcoal, a short film directed by René Simon Cruz, from his most recent series, 1-800-GadgetsandGizmosArt.com

The seven-minute film will debut at the Palm Springs International Short Fest, on  Wednesday, June 24 at 11:00 AM at the Camelot Theatres.  The art series that inspired the film, 1-800-GadgetsandGizmosArt.com, will be exhibited at Melissa Morgan Fine Art from June 16 -29th at 73040 El Paseo, Palm Desert.

Part fantasy, part reality and all art, Palm Springs Charcoal was made during the exhibition of Maloney’s 1-800-GadgetsandGizmosArt.com at the Palm Springs True Value in January 2009. Using bigger-than-life Pop Art paintings on canvas combined with giant sculptures, Maloney’s series is a reflection upon how America settled into its current and relentless grip of consumerism – where it came from, as well as where we may end up.
 
Palm Spring Charcoal explores an artist/creation theme similar to the endearing Pinocchio story when Charcoal, one of Maloney’s beloved creations, comes to life and leads viewers on an adventure through the avant garde art exhibit. Wouldn’t you know, there’s a happy ending hinting at much more adventure to come.
 
Palm Springs Charcoal was created by Maloney and Cruz to provide another angle on 1-800-GadgetsandGizmosArt.com. The director filmed the artist, who appears as a somewhat-harried huckster of American pedigree “Steve Baloney” along with other actors on-site at the True Value exhibition, portions of the film include actual crowd scenes from the show, demonstrating the Celebrity Duster, one of 1-800-GadgetsandGizmosArt.com’s must-have gadgets. It is Maloney’s first art performance and a crowd pleaser at True Value, and remains so in the film.
 
For more information about “1-800GadgetsAndGizmosArt.Com,” Steve Maloney or the upcoming exhibition at Melissa Morgan Fine Art, please contact Andrea Schnoor Communications at 310-878-4812 or aschnoor@andreaschnoor.com
 

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