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Taxi Driver (1) Poster

By: Alice Wielinga
Date of creation: 2009
Tags:
Medium:
Size: 40 x 60
Price: € 550,00
Edition: 35
About this artwork:

Taxi Driver,' (2009) is a contemporary interpretation based on the 1976 American film of the same title. Directed by Martin Scorcese, the movie deals with issues of violence and isolation in New York City experienced by a mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran Travis Bickle during an economic recession.

In 2008-9 visiting New York City, Alice witnessed firsthand the city being hit by another economic recession as injured and traumatized war-veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were coming back. The striking parallels between the two situations were the starting-point for Alice's series. Using a multiracial cast with different cultural backgrounds, Alice juxtaposed elements inspired by her cast: the child prostitute Iris was translated into a Harajuku Lolita from Japan, while Travis Bickle was portrayed by an African American. Struck by young minority boys in poor boroughs like The Bronx being recruited by the US Army, Alice imagined Travis in these boys who had no stable home or promising future to return to.

Taxi Driver – The Poster

This photo is a remake of the original Taxi Driver film poster from 1976. The Japanese girl in this photo is a modern interpretation of the Lolita character Iris in Martin Scorcese’s movie. By using ‘Hello Kitty’ Alice makes a reference to the Lolita culture in Japan. The charm on the necklace of this Lolita character is a funny detail; the Hello Kitty is depicted as a NYC taxi driver.

Taxi Driver – Act 1

While sitting in his cab, ‘Bickle’ witnesses a scene in front of an adult store. The Lolita character gets robbed by two rascals. While one of them is trying offers the girl M&M’s, his partner in reaches for her purse.

Taxi Driver – Act 2

This image gives an overview of the characters from Taxi Driver. At the left side of the image we see a pimp. By using an African American character, Alice makes a reference to modern day rap culture. In particular she refers to the rapper 50 Cent who comes from New York City. 50 Cent had a smash hit with the song P.I.M.P. in 2003. By using the belt worn by the character reading PIMP DADDY she is referring to this rapper and simultaneously to Puff Daddy, another well known New York City rapper.

Next to the pimp we can find the Japanese Lolita character. Next to her we see the taxi driver ‘Bickle’. His clothing is identical to the clothes Robert de Niro is wearing in the original movie, with two small yet important details changed. The emblem, referring in the original movie to the Vietnam war, is replaced by a batch handed out by the American government to soldiers returning from Iraq. The button from Palatine’s campaign is replaced by an Obama-button, who was in the middle of his campaign while Alice created this series.

The house in which he original movie was filmed is depicted in the backdrop of this photo.

Taxi Driver – The End

A violent and bloody scene is the final image of this series. Like the movie, the series is ending with a tremendous amount of violence and aggression. The scene is taking place at Union Square, where the National Debt Number is shown. This number illustrates the debt of the American government. An amount which rises like a madman. Showing this number in her image, Alice makes a clear reference to the economic recession of 2008-9.

This work is only available in size 40 x 60 cm, edition 35 of which 10 as part of the special edition box with the other works from the series.

The other works from this series are also available in the following sizes :

- 133 x 200 cm, edition 3, price 5000 euro, ultrachrome print on dibond.

- 200 x 300 cm, edition 2, price 8000 euro, uv print direct on dibond.

- 40 x 60 cm, edition 20 of which 10 pieces can be bought separately for 550 euro each and 10 pieces as part of a special edition which are being sold in a luxury box together with the other 3 works from this series for 2100 euro, ultrachrome print on hahnemuhle paper.