Tag Archives: London

We may not have a royal family in America, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like the idea.

What else explains the attention, devotion and dollars we lay at the feet of celebrity couplings like Brad and Angelina?  Ben and Jennifer?  Beyonce and Jay-Z?

They’ve been as close as we can get…until now.

Jennifer Rubell, a New York City-based performance artist, is bringing us commoners up close and personal with the royal family in her latest solo show “Engagement,” at Stephen Friedman Gallery in London.

A detailed wax sculpture of Prince William has been placed off-center on a low pedestal.  Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to stand next to ‘he who will be king,’ take his arm, and try on the replica of Kate Middleton’s engagement ring, which lays conveniently in wait on his coat sleeve.

Photo op, anyone?

The back gallery contains a series of drinking paintings featuring real spigots that dispense port, sherry, madeira, gin and rum.  Visitors are encouraged to help themselves.  (Paper cups included.)

Rubell was a food writer before she turned to participatory art, so the inclusion of spirits — which is a nod to a portrait that was hanging above William and Kate when they made their announcement — is also more in keeping with her previous installations.

A padded room made out of pink cotton candy.  A series of self-portraits made out of cheese.  A giant pinata shaped like Andy Warhol’s head.

Now, I know we have had wax sculptures of celebrities for years.  Madame Tussauds has showrooms around the world bursting with dull doppelgangers.

But likenesses of royalty — British, American or whoever — concocted out of food and drink?

I’ll throw some money at that.