The News #5 2017

Kaws made The News #5, but I don't know when or with what medium! I love the flat color and bold outlines, very graphic, and very controlled. It makes me think about how we digest images so quickly these days. It's as though Kaws has flattened out the world, zapped it with neon, and here we have something totally immediate. The surface seems smooth, almost like it's been printed, but it also has the feel of a cartoon. It's a bit of a paradox, right? I can't help but focus on the eyes, or rather, the x-ed-out spaces where the eyes should be. This gives a slightly sinister, but also playful vibe, it's as if Kaws is saying "wake up" but with a wink. There's something of Basquiat's playfulness in Kaws’ work, but with a cooler, more detached sensibility. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art doesn't have to be serious to be smart.