Rachel Feinstein "BANDLEADER" (2021).
At New York's Frieze (May 5-9, 2021), Gagosian presented Rachel Feinstein's first sculpture edition in Nymphenburg porcelain. "Bandleader" is one of a total of eight hand-painted figures highlighting the Victoria's Secret phenomenon. But unlike the successful label itself, where the "angels" are dressed in stunning lingerie like butterflies, firebirds, baby dolls or snow queens, the models' flawless bodies melt and mutate into burlesque personalities in Feinstein's world. The priceless, gem-studded bras and lace thongs that fuel the Victoria's Secret myth are deflated into muddy neon pastes, exposing the billion-dollar American lingerie brand as a collection of dirty money. The template for this edition was "Secrets," a life-size group of figures by Rachel Feinstein presented in 2018 for the artist's first major solo show at Gagosian in Los Angeles.