-
Title
-
I Was Playing Out My Fantasies When Reality Reared Its Ugly Leg
-
Description
-
In the 1980s, Vargas made a trip to New York because her "Sea Food" series was not an easy sell in San Antonio, Texas, largely because a curator did not want to offend the fishing industry. In New York City, she met gallerist Ivan C. Karp who gave her the idea for the photograph when he mentioned that New Yorkers are not offended by dead frogs and eat them for lunch. Additionally, “The Wall Street Journal” had just published an article about the cost of environmental protections for the food industry. The series critiques capitalism and its goal of profit which leads to a willingness to ignore the environment and living creatures. This article launched the “Grotesque Seafood Lunch Series” (begun in 1989) of which this is a part. According to Vargas, “My dark sense of humor created these frogs' legs dancing, kicking up their heels to a money tune, but notice that the frogs’ hands are nailed to the instruments. Even those who call the tune, pay a price.” The frogs' skirts are attached red fabric, scandalously showing their dancing-girl legs! The artist photographed doll shoes on the frogs’ webbed feet. The background is a music score. The dollar signs are the noise coming up from the music. The frogs also reference stuffed musical amphibians that are sold in Mexican border shops. This image is one from an edition of ten. Hand-colored gelatin silver print with collage. Dimensions: 24” x 20”
-
Image
-
https://artist-encuentro.elevator.umn.edu/fileManager/bestDerivativeByFileId/6a8c58a08aeffac19a00de83
-
Collection
-
Summer 2026
-
Access Rights
-
© 1991, Kathy Vargas. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the written consent of the artist. The image may be used for educational personal individual uses and with credit to the artist.
