I am my own commodity.

--Elizabeth Taylor

Our fascination with celebrity permeates contemporary American culture—from web blogs to political campaigning to reality television shows. Celebrity has bred subcultures, fashion trends, virtual communities, role models and a generation of youth whose identities have been shaped in the shadow of such media-fed narratives of selfhood. This exhibition explores the allure of fame, beauty, glamour and success. It is a revealing look at the fickle cult of personality, through the eyes of artists who picture celebrity and through private art work made by celebrities who live in the constant hot spotlight of fame. Celebrity examines the impact that a celebrity-obsessed culture has on us, and the impact we –a voyeuristic public—have on celebrities. It raises questions about self-projection; the private and public sides of creative expression; and the cult marketplace of entertainment.

The exhibition includes 201 works by 41 artists. Among the highlights are video installations by Candice Breitz, who lives in Berlin, that features clips of beloved actors playing the roles of mothers and fathers in Hollywood films; photographer Cindy Sherman’s re-enactments of film stills; a collaboration between artist Keith Edmier and actress Farrah Fawcett; Yasumasa Morimura’s self portrait in the guise of Rita Hayworth; Vik Muniz’s tribute to Grace Kelly, drawn in diamond chips; and Todd Gray’s installation about his stint as Michael Jackson’s personal photographer. The artists in the exhibition are: ArtStar, Mark Bennett, Gary Lee Boas, Candice Breitz, Keith Edmier and Farrah Fawcett, Todd Gray, Kurt Kauper, John Lurie, Christian Marclay, Yasumasa Morimura, Vik Muniz, Antonio Ortega, Maria E. Piñeres, David Robbins, Cindy Sherman, John Waters, Andy Warhol.

The exhibition is accompanied by a catalog with texts by Marilu Knode, senior curator, and Marvin Heiferman, critic, curator and photography expert whose credits include co-authoring Still Life: Hollywood Tableaux Photographs with Diane Keaton.

Catalogs can be purchased in the Store @ SMoCA for $22.95 each.

Archive of the Celebrity opening reception stand up performance by Antonio Ortega.