Family Guy Exhibit Opening at the Museum Of Television & Radio

files/pictures/picture-35.jpg20th Century Fox Television Licensing & Merchandising presents “What The Deuce Are You Staring At!?! A Collection of Interpretive Work Inspired by FAMILY GUY,” the first Pop Surrealist exhibition of new works inspired by a television series. Featuring the new pieces of twenty-one emerging artists, the exhibit remains on public view through January 21, 2007, when it will embark on a world tour of animation galleries around the globe.

In an industry first, FOX commissioned this series of original art as a celebration of the passion of the FAMILY GUY fans. Earlier this year, creative vp Gail Harrison and the 20th Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising Team challenged 21 artists of the Lowbrow Pop Movement to take the show’s characters, design and sensibility as a starting point and create an original and eclectic series of images in a variety of media.

“It’s a testament to the genius of Seth MacFarlane’s creation that FAMILY GUY has proven to be much more than a television show; it’s a full-fledged cultural phenomenon,” commented 20th Century Fox presidents Gary Newman and Dana Walden. “Elie Dekel and his team had the brilliant idea to challenge artists to riff on the show, and their love for Seth’s characters really shines through in these provocative pieces. We’re very proud of the results.”

Remarked Fox licensing & merchandising evp, Elie Dekel, “When we began this experiment, we really had no idea what to expect. But we knew that if the artists channeled even a fraction of their talent, creativity and enthusiasm for the show into their works, this collection could be something incredibly special. The result has surpassed even our wildest expectations, and we can’t wait for FAMILY GUY fans and art enthusiasts around the world to get a chance to experience it for themselves.”

The exhibit will be on display to the general public at The Museum of Television & Radio in Beverly Hills beginning Thursday, Nov. 9. A tour of animation galleries both in the U.S. and around the world will follow, which includes the Animation Connection in Toronto, Canada, The Linda Jones Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, The Animation Art Gallery in London, England, The Silver K Gallery in Melbourne, Australia, and Van Eaton Gallery in Los Angeles, California.

“We are so excited to be the first host of this one-of-a-kind exhibit inspired by one of today’s most popular television shows, FAMILY GUY, as MTR is all about connecting the media sector and the media-interested public,” said Barbara Dixon, vp/director of The Museum of Television & Radio, Los Angeles. “That’s why we are privileged to launch this fascinating showcase of television and pop culture converging in such an extraordinary yet fun way here at MTR in Los Angeles.”

Curated by Fox L&M creative manager Wendell Riggins, the exhibit features new works by Lowbrow Pop artists, which include Ryan Bubnis, Damon Soule, Joel Trussel and Brandt Peters.

A private gala opening for press and invited guests kicks off the exhibit’s run on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 pm at The Museum of Television & Radio. FAMILY GUY creator Seth MacFarlane (Peter, Brian, Stewie, Quagmire, among others) and fellow voice actors Alex Borstein (Lois, Trisha Takanawa), Seth Green (Chris), Mila Kunis (Meg) and Mike Henry (Cleveland, Herbert, Greased Up Deaf Guy) are scheduled to appear, in addition to many of the artists who contributed works to the exhibition.

The Museum of Television & Radio, located at 465 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, is open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Admission and parking are free.