Artist brings famous paintings to life through volunteers
Quickly working under the cover of weak red or blue lighting that hid their movements, they transformed into near-identical replicas of renowned artworks during each 90-second scene. Even under bright stage lighting, they became virtually indistinguishable from the original works—Edward Hopper's medieval piece "Nighthawks," Diego Velazquez's (Diego Valasquez) "Las Meninas," to name a few.
For most attendees of the annual Masters Extravaganza, the illusion remained undisturbed throughout each performance. However, upon closer inspection, subtle movements of the figures or wrinkles in the makeup on their faces could be detected.
Photographer Matthew Rolston, known for his glamorous celebrity portraits in Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine in the 1980s, captures this phenomenon in his new exhibition at the Laguna Art Museum. The results are staggering; ordinary people transforming into iconic works of art.
While Rolston may be best known for his portrait work, he's seen a lot at beauty pageants. "I've seen it all," he said. "Their imperfections—that's what really touches me."
The stage scenes, shot away from elaborate sets that mimic the originals, transport the performers out of their familiar environment and into the world of the artwork they emulate.
For example, an actress playing Eve in Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Bruegel the Elder's 17th-century painting, "The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man," was moved from the lush Garden of Eden to a strict, dark background. Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her hands held the famous forbidden apple. Meanwhile, imitators of David Hockney's 1968 paintings were removed from the vibrant suburban scenes of the artist, making their garish costumes and excessive makeup appear even more unsettling.
"When they're on stage, they're no longer individuals, but characters within a frame," Rolston said. "In a way, their personal identity is erased for the viewer's experience; you can see their unique identity run through the layers of the image like a trick."
A Longtime Community Tradition
This annual event, known as the Pageant of the Masters, is part of the Laguna Beach Arts Festival and has taken place in this coastal city since nearly a century. Its first exhibit, "Pictures from Life," showcased a reinterpretation of James McNeill Whistler's famous portrait, "Whistler's Mother," alongside other works of art in 1933.
As the 19th century saw impressionist artists flock to the California coast, Laguna Beach became a thriving artistic community. But with the Great Depression, the town had to find new ways to fund its operations and establish itself as a tourist destination.
Diane Challis, Pageant of the Masters organizer, noted that the event began with modest beginnings. "It was quite humble," she said. "They performed it outdoors, with no stage lighting; they made curtains and tablecloths to create costumes. It was more of a provisional thing."
Today, "The Grand Master" has grown into a grand spectacle. Over the course of 90 minutes, performers depict 40 works of art across various themes, ranging from paintings and sculptures to mixed-media pieces. There's a professor who offers short art history lessons for each work and a live orchestra that creates original compositions. Challis estimates that about 140,000 people attend each year.
The event, which only canceled in the past two years due to World War II and Covid-19, returns this summer with the theme "Made in America." Works such as Dorothea Lange's photographs and Norman Rockwell's paintings will be replicated.
Regardless of the theme, the exhibition always ends with Leonardo da Vinci's iconic fresco, "The Last Supper." Challis said it has been a fan-favorite and helped draw attention to the show.
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"(The Pageant) gained national recognition because everyone thought it was so glamorous that communities would stage 'The Last Supper,'" Challis said.
The Art of Illusion
For Rolston, returning to compete as an adult in 2016 still held the same magic it did in his childhood.
"The audience marvels at the illusion because what they're doing is so meticulously crafted," Rolston said. "You really think you're looking at a piece of art, and then you realize it's people painting and wearing costumes."
"It's a simulacrum and a hallucination—something between humanity and a representation of humanity," he continued. "In that lies an inherent, almost primal fascination for people."
Challis noted that the illusion is maintained through intricate makeup, body painting, and costumes that simulate light and shadow. The scene is flattened by stage lighting to eliminate shadows, and the entire artwork is presented in a large frame. Challis explained that scenic designers also use projectors to fill in the scene with images, much like painting by numbers. The producer has used old Kodak diaprojectors for years and now uses digital video to project images and photos, making the storytelling process "really helpful," she added. Technological advancements, such as LED lighting and improved textile treatments, have also improved the production over the years.
The show also employs live-action. Challis' favorite scene from a few years ago involved artists creating replicas of Japanese woodblock prints filled with floating cherry blossoms and simulated snow.
Rolston had the opportunity to participate in the project in 2016, his role as Judas in "The Last Supper" offered to him, but he asked for Saint Matthew instead. (The photographer laughed as he recalled having to stand on a crate to reach the necessary height.)
"The strangest thing about this experience was when the curtain went up," Rolston said. "They all made this collective 'Ooh' and started clapping. I did nothing because that was my part: to remain completely still for 90 seconds. I realized that what they were clapping for was eerily pointless; they were clapping for nothing but the illusion of it."
The Master Pageant
This exhibition, "Matthew Rolston, Person of Art: Pageant Portraits," is on display at the Laguna Museum of Art until September 19, 2021. "Pageant Master" runs from July 7 to September 3, 2021.
At the heart of this exhibition is Rolston's exploration of how ordinary people are transformed into famous works of art through photography. With stage lighting 'flattened' to remove shadows, the performers' movements are virtually indistinguishable from the original works.
This process, combined with intricate makeup, body painting, and costumes, creates a mesmerizing illusion. The show, which has been performed for nearly a century, is an annual event in Laguna Beach and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
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Enrichment Data:
Volunteers at art exhibitions and museums play an essential role in enriching the visitor experience. Their contributions can range from guiding visitors through exhibits, facilitating interactive activities, or even helping with the creation of replicas of famous works of art.
Participating in these activities not only contributes to the enrichment of the public but also allows volunteers to gain new skills, make connections within the art community, and even inspire their own artistic pursuits.
There are many organizations and museums that offer volunteer opportunities and encourage the public to engage in cultural activities. By participating, individuals can contribute to the preservation and promotion of art and culture while also broadening their own horizons.
