Warhol versus Wookies

Andy Warhol isn’t that different from Yoda from Star Wars. Think about it: Like Yoda, the white-wigged Warhol was inscrutable, his force was far-reaching, and he was the lord of his universe. For London-based artist RYCA, who pays tribute to his Pop Jedi master through a filter of Star Wars and cult sci-fi movie iconography in his work, Warhol’s influence on culture remains indisputable. RYCA’s new show, “Refresh,” is on view at Wynwood’s Robert Fontaine Gallery (2349 NW Second Ave., Miami) beginning at 5 p.m. during the Second Saturday Art Walk this weekend, where he’s hijacked classic Warhol imagery and retrofitted it to suit his Star Wars fantasies. “If you think of Warhol’s whole ethos,” ponders RYCA, sounding a bit like Yoda himself, “you think if he was still around, would he be pissed at people doing what I’m doing, or would he actually think this is the product of what he did? This is the result of his actions.” In addition to his Warhol-inspired works, RYCA is exhibiting a life-sized screen print of the DeLorean time machine from Back to the Future, as well as a portrait of Sigourney Weaver in her iconic space helmet from Aliens, says gallery director Robert Fontaine, who adds that the force is strong in his new discovery. “RYCA’s work is an ironic spin on nostalgia as high art, as well as a laugh on the art world’s elitist ideology as a narrative,” Fontaine concludes.
Nov. 9-23, 2013