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Breakfast of Champions

Ligorano Reese

1991 00:07:57 United StatesEnglishColorStereo4:3Video
Tags:
Advertisement(s), Politics, War

Description

Breakfast of Champions is an installation created in 1991 by the artist duo Ligorano Reese, comprising Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese. The piece critiques the media's portrayal of the Gulf War and its influence on public perception. The installation features a breakfast table set with an American flag-themed place setting, a cup of coffee, half-eaten toast, and a copy of The New York Times. 

The newspaper's front page is a collage of headlines from the Gulf War period, with a video monitor embedded in place of the front-page photo. The video begins with President George H.W. Bush's 1988 "kinder, gentler" presidential ad, transitioning to footage of surrendering prisoners of war, explosions, tanks, and paratroopers, highlighting the contrast between political rhetoric and the realities of war. 

Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese have dedicated themselves to the art of collaboration since they first met in Baltimore. Their earliest collaborations began in video art and performance. Over three decades the artists have created hardware and software art, limited edition multiples, videos, sculptures and installations using a range of materials, traditional and digital processes.

In 2008, they began installing temporary public monuments during the political conventions, a series called melted away. These sculptures of words carved in ice are filmed, photographed and streamed as they melt away and disappear. They have presented 7 sculptures in 10 different cities at the conventions in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Ligorano Reese are currently developing an exhibition of new work, including video on the climate crisis.

Articles about their work have been published in the New York Times, Art Forum, Art In America, the Huffington Post, and seen on television and other media. They have received awards and grants including 3 NYFA fellowships as well as a NEA fellowship, two Jerome Foundation Fellowships, a Puffin grant and a number of artists residencies. They are represented by Catharine Clark Gallery and show edition work with Jim Kempner Fine Art.