James Franco, Gay Town (2012), via Peres Projects
Peres Projects located in Berlin is presenting a month-long, solo exhibition by American actor, filmmaker, writer and artist James Franco from Saturday February 9th, titled GAY TOWN.
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
GAY TOWN approaches themes of adolescence, public and private persona, stereotypes, and celebrity, issues running through Franco’s body of work, mostly centered on Franco himself. The works were created in transient spaces like hotel rooms and temporary studios, during times when Franco was in the midst of various film projects.
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
Franco is best known for his leading role in the American television series Freaks and Geeks, as well as more recently for his portrayal of Harry Osborn in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. Franco has also simultaneously attended the MFA writing program at Columbia University, the MFA Film & Television program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and Brooklyn College for fiction writing. He also volunteers at Art of Elysium, a charity helping children with serious medical conditions.
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
Aside from acting and directing films, James Franco has worked with a variety of mediums, from painting and drawing to sculpture, installation and photography. The exhibition includes works from all of these mediums, focusing on Franco’s personal, spontaneous artistic expressions rather than on a singular craft.
James Franco, Elvis Roma (2012), via Peres Projects
Bizarre in their execution and visualization, Franco’s works showcase the peculiar intermingling of his filmic persona with his painterly aspirations. Â Characters like Spider-Man and Oz (both played by Franco), crop up in various works, hinting at Franco’s use of painting as both compliment to and escape from his practice as an actor.
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
The exhibition will be hosted at Peres Projects‘ temporary project space on Karl Marx Allee 87, prior to moving to its new main space. The exhibition is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays, through March 9th, 2013.
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
James Franco, Untitled (2012), via Peres Projects
—E.Baker
Related Links
Exhibition Page [Peres Projects]
New York Magazine [The James Franco Project]
New York Times [James Franco, Artist, Surfaces in Berlin (2011)]
