THE KINGPINS
The Kingpins are a Sydney-based collective formed in 2000. Comprising four women, the group has become known through performances and videos that send up the world of popular music. Their flawlessly choreographed live shows and seamless videos parody the violent sexism of rock music and pop videos, exposing the construction and continuation of misogynistic clichés in the industry as a whole and society in general. The result is both entertaining and ferociously critical.
The Sydney drag scene was the arena for The Kingpins earliest performances and drag has remained the essence of their work; the women often dress up as male performers and their scantily-clad female side-kicks. They have translated their early routines into a focused visual arts practice, with an expanded and sophisticated videography that offers pointed commentaries on contemporary identity. Videos such as This is my Remix Baby (2000), Mens Club (2001), and Versus (2002) highlight the cultural artifice inherent in the aggressive, macho energy of rock or the vapid, sentimentality of boy-bands. More recent videos such as Welcome to the Jingle (2003) have expanded these observations into a wider comment on consumer society. Dressed as men, the women visited anonymous cities in order to underscore the culture and consumption of globally expanding brand names.
Increasingly, the group has extended its stage shows into more lasting installations where projections of single and multi-channel videos are accompanied by stage designs, concert props and neon signage, These images come uncannily close to the daily fare offered on television and seen on stages throughout the world. In subtly mimicking and distorting these familiar forms, The Kingpins offer contemporary society a mirror image of itself.-B.V./E.F.
http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/admin/admin_links/projekt/artists/kingpins.html
http://www.acmi.net.au/2004/content/work.php?id=29&mode=f
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=2633
http://www.mca.com.au/default.asp?page_id=12&content_id=117
http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/article.php?article=275
Founded by Técha Noble (Born 1977), Emma Price (Born 1975), Katie Price (Born 1978), Angelica Mesiti (Born 1976) in Sydney, Australia
Based in Sydney, Australia
Men's Club, 2001
Digital video transferred to DVD, 3'8"
Courtesy the artists and the Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Digital video transferred to DVD, 3'8"
Courtesy the artists and the Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, Australia
This is my Remix Baby, 2000
Digital video transferred to DVD, 3'3"
Courtesy the artists and the Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, Australia
Digital video transferred to DVD, 3'3"
Courtesy the artists and the Kaliman Gallery, Sydney, Australia
The Kingpins are a Sydney-based collective formed in 2000. Comprising four women, the group has become known through performances and videos that send up the world of popular music. Their flawlessly choreographed live shows and seamless videos parody the violent sexism of rock music and pop videos, exposing the construction and continuation of misogynistic clichés in the industry as a whole and society in general. The result is both entertaining and ferociously critical.
The Sydney drag scene was the arena for The Kingpins earliest performances and drag has remained the essence of their work; the women often dress up as male performers and their scantily-clad female side-kicks. They have translated their early routines into a focused visual arts practice, with an expanded and sophisticated videography that offers pointed commentaries on contemporary identity. Videos such as This is my Remix Baby (2000), Mens Club (2001), and Versus (2002) highlight the cultural artifice inherent in the aggressive, macho energy of rock or the vapid, sentimentality of boy-bands. More recent videos such as Welcome to the Jingle (2003) have expanded these observations into a wider comment on consumer society. Dressed as men, the women visited anonymous cities in order to underscore the culture and consumption of globally expanding brand names.
Increasingly, the group has extended its stage shows into more lasting installations where projections of single and multi-channel videos are accompanied by stage designs, concert props and neon signage, These images come uncannily close to the daily fare offered on television and seen on stages throughout the world. In subtly mimicking and distorting these familiar forms, The Kingpins offer contemporary society a mirror image of itself.-B.V./E.F.
http://www.vca.unimelb.edu.au/admin/admin_links/projekt/artists/kingpins.html
http://www.acmi.net.au/2004/content/work.php?id=29&mode=f
http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=2633
http://www.mca.com.au/default.asp?page_id=12&content_id=117
http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/article.php?article=275