You Belong to the City, You Belong to the Night

So you want to live in the 80's? Adjust those shoulder pads, grab your Wayfarers, and turn on your Empire State Building Lamp! We're excited to share this unique 1980's prop from the 1988 Eddie Murphy film "Coming to America", the 1988 Tom Hanks film "Big", and the 1986 Sylvester Stallone film "Cobra".

Shown above is the actual lamp that appeared in both 1988 feature films "Coming to America" & "Big". This lamp is constructed with a translucent white plastic shell in the form of the Empire State Building. Within the building's shell is a fluorescent tube light that illuminates the building from within. This architectural lamp shows incredibly well on a raised pedestal or table as can be seen in the screen shots from "Coming to America" below.

To find this scene in the film look for it around the 1 hour 12 minute mark with the following dialog.

Arsenio Hall (Semmi): Akeem!
Eddie Murphy (Akeem): What have you done?

Arsenio Hall (Semmi): You told me to fix up the place.

Eddie Murphy (Akeem): I should kill you!

Arsenio Hall (Semmi): Why?
Eddie Murphy (Akeem): I'm supposed to be a poor man.

Below is a screen shot from "Big" with Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins. To find this scene in the film look for it with the following dialog.

Elizabeth Perkins (Susan): I'm not so sure we should do this.
Tom Hanks (Josh): Do what?
Elizabeth Perkins (Susan): Well, I like you, and I want to spend the night with you.

Tom Hanks (Josh): Do you mean sleep over?

Elizabeth Perkins (Susan): Well...yeah.
Tom Hanks (Josh): Well, okay... but I get to be on top.

Below is a screen shot from "Cobra" with Sylvester Stallone. To find this scene in the film look for it around the 16 minute mark.
Spiring to a height of 38.5" tall with the base measuring 10.25"x8.75" this piece of interior design is iconic for the 1980's in how it uses a symbolic art deco building to create drama with lighting and sculpture. Little is known about the manufacturing or distribution of this lamp, other than that they originated from Japan. We recently sold the lamp featured in the movies, but have an identical piece available.

For additional information please email: the80sgallery@yahoo.com or visit www.the80sgallery.com

The 1980's Big Hair and Big Art, Artist Gregory Gioiosa

In a decade preoccupied with success and status, art got bigger in scope, ambition, theme, budget, promotion and cultural presence. Art became an extension of ones success or power. During the 1980's, collecting art was a symbol of ones education, lifestyle and class. New York and Los Angeles became hot spots for galleries to flourish under the patronage of yuppies. Gallery owners were constantly looking for new cutting edge work that would challenge the intellect and budget of their clients. As clients became desensitized with the simple idea of new imagery, new materials or new subject matter, there was an opening and opportunity for truly challenging work to be developed. Artists like Robert Longo began showing businessmen in agony with his "Men in Cities" series. Keith Haring used street graffiti and street polemic art to attack the conformities of the decade. And while artists like Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Longo need no introduction, there are monumental works of art that were created in the 80's that need to be reintroduced today.

We are spotlighting an original painting by Gregory Gioiosa titled "Asterope" created in January of 1988. This monumental original painting on board measures 115" tall by 73" wide and sits 3" reliefed away from the wall. It's difficult to convey the grandeur of this piece, not only because of the size, but the bold colors and abstract edges of the piece. Looking at the piece up close you are awstruck by Gioiosa's meticulous precision with the layering and overlapping of colors. Below is a detail picture of the lower center section of the piece.

The neon colors are just as clean and vibrant today as they were when it was created 22 years ago. Dominating the better part of any wall, this painting makes a statement that says "I Love Living in the 80's".

"Asterope" Original Painting on Board by Gregory Gioiosa currently available

For additional information please email the80sgallery@yahoo.com or visit www.the80sgallery.com