Santa Clauses

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Tim Armstrong A Christmas Story, 2004
‘Referencing the cheap production and tacky aesthetic common to big department stores, Tim brought to life the mythical man in red in full fibreglass glory. This show revealed and ridiculed the frequently celebrated but rarely questioned hero of western culture that is Father Christmas. Reminiscent of the famously creepy figurines of shop displays, albeit carrying a scythe instead of the usual sack of toys, the Santa of A Christmas Story is more frightening than friendly.’

 

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Walter Waygood The Family of Santa Claus, 1983 – 2023
‘Initially captured in the arena of the retail department store through sponsorship of national companies including Alders Department Stores, Debenhams, British Home Stores, C&As, Marks & Spencer and Owen Owen PLC in the 1980s and then placed in a broader environment as Santa Claus diversified his commercial and charitable status with placements in garden centre bases or working as a travelling nomad supporting charitable organisations.’

 

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L. Frank Baum The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, 1902
‘L. Frank Baum, most famously the author of The Wizard of Oz, was the first author to write a book entirely about Santa Claus, adding his own mythology to the classic character’s origins and adventures.’

 

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Alfred Eisenstaedt Santa Claus school, 1961
photograph

 

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Unknown Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments, 1930s
Glass, Wire

 

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Alexander Calder Santa Claus X, 1974
Original etching on paper

 

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Al Barry Santa Heads, 1955
‘The heads of Santa Claus dolls fall from a conveyor belt ready to be transported to the next department at the Ideal Toy Corporation, Hollis, New York.’

 

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Edward Vincent Brewer Santa Claus, Likely Advertisement for Coolerator Refrigerators, 1964
Oil Painting

 

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David Shrigley Untitled, 1996
‘This Untitled work is composed of text, written by hand in capital letters on a piece of A4 lined paper torn from a pad. The text comprises two sentences written over two lines and repeated seventeen times so that it fills the page. It reads: ‘Santa Claus is not evil. There is no need to defend myself against him’. The repetition of the lines has a double character. It recalls the old fashioned practice of punishing school children by setting them the task of ‘doing lines’ – writing the same line of text over and over again a large number of times to drive its message home in the unfortunate pupil’s head.’

 

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Dan Brinkman Andy Warhol as Santa Claus with Truman Capote, 1977
Black and White Print

 

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Salvador Dalí­ Santa Claus, 1968
‘Greeting Card – original etching – signed in pencil’

 

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HSN Mr. Christmas 10 Outdoor LED Climbing Santa, 2022
‘Word to the wise. The control box is a simple narrow push button but the instructions read as if there are several “positions”. There are no positions. It says to “turn” it. Nothing on the box actually turns besides the volume knob. The supposed on/off/timer is press down (in) and thats it. There isn’t a number to call for help and I’m not troubleshooting over the course of a multi-day email exchange. Everything is assembled correctly and it doesn’t work. Control box needs a complete redesign. Don’t waste your time with this product. Take a peek at the reviews on Best Buy. Not good.’

 

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Olivia 4d Santa Claus, 1995
acrylic on brown paper

 

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Diane Arbus Santas at the Santa Claus School, Albion, N.Y., 1964
Gelatin silver print

 

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Pablo Picasso Untitled (Santa Claus), 1960
pastel on paper

 

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René Cardona Santa Claus vs. the Devil, 1959
‘Santa in space watches children who are forced to do evil stuff on Earth because… the Devil. A war on Christmas, if you will. But no, not that at all, this is another thing. Still, though… just terrible.’

 

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Cindy Sherman Untitled (Mrs Claus), 1990
chromogenic print

 

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Mike Kelley Toy Santa Claus, 1993
C-print on Fujicolor Crystal

 

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YzisPX Slyde: Santa Dance 4K Christmas and New Years, 2023
‘It’s a garish dynamic theme which features a PS2 Santa and three presumably elfish backing dancers strutting along to the worst version of Jingle Bells you’ve ever heard. It’s cheaply produced, it’s absolutely horrid, and yes, you must own it.’

 

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Andreas Krinke Santa Claus, 2021
photograph

 

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OZIS Giant 40Ft Inflatable Santa Claus with Blower for Christmas Yard Decoration Outdoor Yard Lawn Xmas Party Blow Up Decoration, 2021
‘1x huge inflatable santa claus, 1x daily bag, rope, nail, blower, sandbag, patching cloth, needle and thread: Please put something a little heavy in the santa claus from the zipper to make sure it standing stably when you use the inflatable Christmas decorations indoors. Rain and windy weather can not be used. After inflation, please fix it with ropes and nails. Do not tear the product with violence, so as not to cause damage.’

 

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Jim Dine Santa Claus Studies, 1962
Watercolor and graphite on paper

 

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Paul McCarthy Chocolate Factory Paris, 2020
‘With its unambiguous resemblance to an enormous sex toy, Paul McCarthy’s inflatable green ‘Tree’ – the one that dominated the Place Vendôme for less than 48 hours before an act of vandalism prompted its removal – offered a mere taste of what he has been cooking up for the newly reopened Monnaie de Paris.

‘The Los Angeles-based artist’s ‘Chocolate Factory’ inaugurates the official reopening of the Paris Mint, which dates back to 864 and holds the distinction of France’s oldest institution. Coins and medals continue to be issued from within the 18th century building, located along the left bank of the Seine. Now through January, McCarthy’s fully operational chocolate factory-cum-installation means that edible, suggestive Santas and butt plug trees will be issued here, too.

‘Once visitors have ascended a grand staircase where a new cluster of inflatable trees stand sentinel, flagrantly testifying to McCarthy’s resolve, they enter into the octagonal gilded reception hall completed by Jacques-Denis Antoine in 1775. Here, the assembly line has been erected as a windowed set, allowing visitors to observe platinum-wigged workers a few shades less creepy than Oompa Loompas. In this context, even the ordinary drummed machine that slowly rotates the moulds seems subverted by a disturbed Wonka.

‘Yet the production is for real. As of last night, upwards of 4,500 figures had been stockpiled in several salons, lining industrial racks speckled with chocolate drippings. If this sight alone isn’t enough to stimulate, the smell succeeds; each inhale comes perfumed with a rich, recognisable aroma.

‘Such sweetness, however, is offset by projections of McCarthy scribbling furiously and manically in an oversized sketchbook. The words suggest he is replaying the comments hurled at him in response to the Vendôme sculpture; vocally, he sounds out each one like the possessed kid from The Shining.’

 

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Kathryn Andrews Run for President, 2015
mixed media

 

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Andy Warhol Santa Claus Trial Proof, 1981
‘The Myths Portfolio is one of Andy Warhol’s most sought after collections. Andy Warhol’s Myths collection contains ten screen prints of iconic mythical figures, including Santa Claus, Superman and Howdy Doody, among many others.’

 

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Bezbro and Yurtle Santa’s Cookies, 2022
‘Find all of Santa’s cookies. Get Santa a glass of milk. Throw cookies to distract Santa. Don’t get caught.’

 

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George Marks Santa Claus holding a blank sheet of paper, 1961
‘This studio shot by George Marks exudes an air of surprise as if Santa has just discovered something unexpected on that piece of paper. It leaves room for our imagination to fill in the details – perhaps it holds a secret wish list from children around the world or maybe even notes for next year’s presents. With its vertical composition and ample copy space surrounding Santa Claus, this print offers endless possibilities for creative use. Whether displayed during Christmastime or year-round as a reminder of holiday cheer, this timeless portrait is sure to bring joy to all who lay their eyes upon it.’

 

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Katharina Fritsch Sinking St. Nicholas, 2023
Plastic, wood, acrylic paint

 

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Biljana Djurdjevic The Last Days Santa Claus, 2001
oil on canvas

 

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Lewis Jackson Christmas Evil, 1980
‘Shot as You Better Watch Out (that title that appears on screen in this director’s cut), Lewis Jackson’s film follows Harry (Brandon Maggart), whose life is slowly falling apart as Christmas approaches. Already suffering the childhood trauma of seeing his mother making out with Santa – or at least, his father dressed up – he’s now stuck in a dead-end job in a crappy toy factory, where he’s the butt of jokes and exploited by co-workers. He also has an obsession with Christmas, spying on local children to see who is naughty and who is nice, and writing the names and crimes of offenders in a large book of ‘Bad Boys and Girls’. Before long, Harry has convinced himself that he is Santa, dressing the part and setting out to bring Christmas cheer. This starts with him stealing toys from his factory and donating them to sick children, but Harry is the sort of Santa who punishes the naughty as well as rewarding the nice, and there are plenty of naughty people around.’

 

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Unknown Mexican Christmas Ornament, 1993
Punched tin

 

 

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p.s. Hey. ** Garrett, Hi. Oh, I read them with total pleasure, be assured. My head was just stuffed up, but it’s less so today. Andy Heck Boyd: I like his stuff. I want to hear that. On it. Don’t lay off writing on my account, au contraire as the French supposed say but don’t really say very often. xo, morning time. ** Bill, Thanks. I’m feeling better. It was and barely still is just an annoying phlegm manifestation. Chiang Mai, wow. Always had a curiosity about it. About Thailand in general. And you almost saw Joe. Damn. I think McCourt’s writing either sets one’s heart aflutter or doesn’t. It’s very particular. ‘Time Remaining’ is my fave of his. ** David Porter, Hi David. Well, thank you so very much, and the very, very same to you! If you feel catching up a bit, feel more than free. xoxo. ** Tosh Berman, He is referring to Waverly (I think Drive, I can’t recall) in Silverlake, yes. Maybe that’s fate telling you to peruse the book. I don’t think you’ll be sorry. ** NLK, Hey. I don’t think she’s ever been translated into English, and my French is too pitiful to even try. I wish I could remember her name. I’ll ask the POL crew. I know Paul, the late founder of POL, thought very highly of her work. When I asked him about her, he said, ‘She’s great. Her books only sell a few hundred copies, but I will always publish her.’ Are Lyon’s lights on a par with Paris’s? A story. Can you say anything about it? Don’t feel pressured though. I just saw Glück reading at After8 the other night. Were you there? He has an exhibition of his ephemera and ceramics at Treize opening on the 6th. I like a lonely Xmas too. Not sure why, but at the same time it makes total sense. Yes, we finally all agreed on a buche. This one. We’ll be devouring it on Friday. Are you doing a buche? Happy Xmas build up. ** Sypha, Hi. Yes, ‘Time Remaining’ is a fave. And I think it’s going to reprinted any week now, from what I heard. Hm, I don’t think I’ve ever had a full-on Batman Day, no. I’m sure he has popped up in the odd thematic post. Why, do you want to make a Batman Day? I’d obviously be chuffed if so. ** _Black_Acrylic, Hi Ben. He’s sadly mostly o.o.p., but, as I just told James, I think ‘Time Remaining’ will be back in print very soon. What’s your Xmas looking like? ** Kettering, Hi. Oh, no, it was just a head/chest cold thing. I’m feeling better already. But thank you for the comissing. I used to do Emergen-C, yes, but I don’t think they have it over here in France. I’m a big Oscillococcinum fan/believer, but I usually end up waiting too late for it to do any good. I do see your email, and I think you’re right that no one else can. If I see a confusing name, I’ll check the ‘e’ just to make sure. Those people, should they actually exist, sound extremely primitive. You have a new job in store or in mind? Merry early Xmas things. ** Steve Erickson, It’s just a little cold, now waning but thank you. I think ‘Saw X’ is on soap2day, and that’s probably the only reason I’ll see it. I don’t know if you’re interested, and you probably already know this, but Anthology is showing Harry Smith’s ‘Mahagonny’ in early/mid January. A rare opportunity if you’re up for it. ** Corey Heiferman, I wish McCourt knew he is singlehandedly resurrecting American lit in your brain. Or maybe he does check my blog, who knows? ‘Hugo’ … doesn’t ring a bell. It sounds pretty interesting, I must say. Thank you for the link. I’ll go see for myself. I hope all’s great with you and that you’re holding up through everything. ** Okay. Today the blog begins a mini-Xmas countdown with some simulacrum of the big dude him/her/themself. See you tomorrow.