Art continues to seep further into popular culture. In many ways, the growing popularity of Contemporary art is following the same trajectory as food over the last three decades. With that growing awareness of art and the emergence of artists as stars, the interplay between art and popular culture becomes ever more interesting … and risky, as this Forbes report on Uniqlo’s new art-inspired fashion line shows:
Japan’s biggest retailer, on a mission to conquer the U.S. market a la the Gap, with plans for 200 stores by 2020, took the wraps off SPRZ NY (“Surprise New York”) at its global flagship store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan yesterday.
The merchandise collection, which reflects a collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, features 200 t-shirts, polo shirts, light jackets bandanas and tote bags inspired by iconic artists Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring and Jackson Pollock, as well newer artists such as Ryan McGinness and Sarah Morris.
Uniqlo’s New Fashion Line Is All About Contemporary Art: But Will It Sell In The Nation’s Malls? (Forbes)