High Heels and Hot Wheels: The Interview

 In a recent interview, artist Brenan was asked to expound upon the premise of the upcoming show in Chicago. The following is an excerpt:

In a world of multiple choice, isn’t it nice to know exactly what you want when you see it? While convenient store shopping a couple of years ago, artist Brenan committed a cardinal sin, an impulse buy. Something he totally didn’t need, but wanted and could afford… a Hot Wheels car. The packaging was such that it inspired instant ownership. This caused him to wonder exactly why this happens, and what objects trigger that response in himself, in men, in women.

“Women’s shoes are to girls like a Hot Wheels car is to boys,” he thought. “No matter how many you own, you’ll always want more and will always have your favorites.” They are youthful, well-packaged promises of mobility and freedom. They’re small enough to warrant the ownership of multiples, and the actual purchase is a big part of the experience. The trigger can be because it’s a bargain, or a new design, or limited ownership. The fact that shoes can be worn, didn’t exactly matter because the impulse of ownership was still the same, and the toy cars can also be played with. It came as no surprise then, that toymaker Mattel creates both Hot Wheels and Barbie, and thus, his first painting, entitled “Hot in Heels” was born.

Taking this concept a few steps further (as in beyond direct commerce), desirably unique cars and fashionistas in high heels have consistently made for memorable, if not always good television. Viewers are compelled to buy dolls and accessories of the actors and also Hot Wheels versions of the very cars featured in the show. Starlets and star cars—it was a trend which prevailed for some time. “Pairing them in paintings, I found [stars and cars] totally legitimize each other as art. They gave purpose. A mere portrait of Farrah Fawcett, for instance, just isn’t enough. But Farrah with her Mustang Cobra II from Charlie’s Angels? Yeah, suddenly that’s more relevant.”

If a star and her car legitimized each other, then words are the tie that binds. “I then would integrate modern catch phrases that were relevant to that character, utilizing the looks of logos from the show or period advertising to give each relationship an added depth,” Brenan offers. “It ties it back to the commercial crux of the visual conversation I’ve begun, while curiously making each realization about that TV show’s individual cultural impact more profoundly engaging.”

High Heels and Hot Wheels opens Oct. 10th from 7-9pm at Frimson fashion boutique in Lincoln Park. Frimson’s unique fall line of clothes will debut in a fashion show at 8pm. Official invitations go out today.

Frimson’s owner and designer, Thripthy Mathew, and artist Brenan Sharp. Photo by Justin Berzon.