ABSOLUT Irish Artists Exhibit at ‘Wildly Different Things’
Just like Andy Warhol in 1985, a selection of Irish artists were commissioned by ABSOLUT to produce their own artistic interpretation of the iconic Swedish vodka bottle. These pieces were presented at ‘Wildly Different Things: New York and Dublin’ at The Observatory, 7-11 Sir John Rogersons Quay throughout Irish American Heritage Month in March.
The Irish ABSOLUT Originals included work from the likes of fashion photographer Cliona O’Flaherty, visual artist Asbestos and graffiti artist MASER, as part of the ABSOLUT Collection of contemporary art, which included the works of more than 350 artists and designers globally like Keith Haring, Louise Bourgeois and Tom Ford.
Wildly Different Things enabled audiences to contemplate the commonalities and differences in work by artists living on separate continents accessing shared information through a showcase featuring current thought-provoking art produced by artists thousands of miles apart—from North America’s art capital, New York, and from one of Europe’s most westerly capitals, Dublin.
According to Richard Brickley, ABSOLUT marketing manager: “Linking the ABSOLUT Originals into this exhibition is an apt association since ABSOLUT is appealing to people who value originality and creativity and are open to seeing things a little bit differently. Coincidentally, the Wildly Different Things exhibition includes two artists, New York artist Hank Willis Thomas and Irish artist Sean Hillen, who themselves were inspired by ABSOLUT to produce artistic interpretations of the bottle. Warhol was the first to produce an interpretation of the bottle in 1985 and since then ABSOLUT has provided artists with a platform for expression and an opportunity to bring their art to the masses through advertising.” For information on ABSOLUT Art, www.ABSOLUT.ie and for info on ‘Wildly Different Things: New York and Dublin www.wildlydifferentthings.com.
