From Zero to Hero (from the SPOrTLIGHT series)

This is one of the ‘SPOrTLIGHT’ Series of work which, responding to National celebrations of the 2002 Manchester UK Commonwealth Games, explores current perceptions and representations of sport. Sports celebrities and specific sports are presented in symbolic images that take a light hearted and sometimes satirical look at how commercialization and the mass media have transformed sport into a tool for product promotion and increasingly blurred the boundaries between the world of sport, fashion, media and celebrity. The series, which formed an exhibition in 2002, reinterprets 18th and 19th Century Indian miniatures paintings – the aim being “to create a platform for introducing wider audiences to this traditional art form through a subject that would have mass appeal as part of popular culture”. In a broader context ‘SPOrTLIGHT’ projects the artists’ ongoing aims to assert the value of traditional and non European aesthetics as a legitimate form of expression within Contemporary art practice. From Zero to Hero, examines the relationship between the world of Sport, Media and Celebrity. In particular it looks at the role that both the media and the commercialization of sport have played in turning the humble sportsman into Universal Hero, celebrity Super Star, and popular culture Icon. In a wider context it also comments on how, in a world obsessed with materialism and the cult of celebrity, secular Icons have come to replace the traditional spiritual role models offered by world Faiths. Epitomizing this theme, this symbolic portrait of David Beckham reflects an image of the footballer as portrayed through TV, newspapers, magazines and Internet sites. The title of the painting itself is borrowed from an article about Beckham in Hello magazine and the quotes are taken from various other media stories and interviews. Dubbed by the Press as ”The New Royal Family,” Beckham, Victoria – his pop star wife and celebrity in her own right – and son Brooklyn, are appropriately depicted crowned and enthroned. The throne, based on that featured in Victoria’s official fan web site, also references the ones famously used at the couple’s wedding. In addition, a royal insignia combining the letters D,V,R (‘David and Victoria Reign‘) further emphasizes the media’s labeling of them as the “King and Queen of Popular Culture.” The style and format is inspired by a traditional, 18th century, Indian miniature (pictured above) – with its horizontal registers, flat perspective, stylized forms and hierarchical composition. It also draws on an established artistic convention adopted by many Indian artists throughout history – that is, the use of multi arms to create symbolic portraits which allowed them to convey, within a single image, much more about the personality and stories behind the figures they depicted. In one hand, ‘King’ Beckham holds a golden football as his orb thus symbolizing the realm over which he rules. Representing his status as fashion Icon, he holds a pair of sun glasses in another hand, which alludes to the ‘Police’ brand he endorses. In his remaining arms, he holds his wife and son symbolizing how he is perceived by some, as a contemporary exemplar for the “devoted husband” and “model father“. The nappies and every day snacks (taken from the list of ‘likes’, on Victoria’s official web page) present them as down to earth, ordinary people – just as human as the rest of us, despite their elevated celebrity status. The bottle of mineral water (also listed on Victoria’s web site as Beckham’s preferred drink to alcohol) highlights Beckham’s “decent”, and “well behaved”, tee -total image which has helped changed the traditional perception and stereotype of footballers as beer drinking, macho men. Beckham has been described as “the king of England”, “the great British Lion Heart” “Mr. Britain” and “the most famous Englishman in the world”. In addition, as Captain of the England Team and for his football skills, he is considered a “national hero” who according to team mates, the football public, and even some politicians deserves a Knighthood. As one newspaper editor put it “right now he epitomizes all that‘s great about being British“. As such, he wears the robes and crown of King Richard the Lion Heart (as inspired by a medieval painting of the same); his throne bears the emblem of the Tudor Rose; and the great British Lion supporting the English flag, sits proudly at his feet. At the same time, a fan presents a Medieval Knight’s helmet on a golden tray in tribute to his idol. As a married couple, David and Victoria have brought together the worlds of Sport and Popular Culture. So, whilst he wears his team strip, she holds a microphone symbolising her own significant achievements and contribution to the music industry. On a different level their union mirrors how in the 20/21st Century, the increased commercialization of Sport has led to a blurring of the boundaries between these two once separate domains. It’s a world where image is everything and where sporting events, driven by big media sponsorship deals, have become more about advertising and selling than playing a game. In short, media ratings have turned sport into big business and sportsmen into celebrities that have become the perfect marketing tools. In Beckham’s case particularly, his selling power goes far beyond the multi-million pound business of sports merchandising (represented by the figure, bottom, far left) and its traditionally male targeted audience. Hence, alongside the Adidas ’Predator’ boots which he officially endorses, he wears a designer watch and jewelry. In addition, representatives from these fashion industries offer him other designer labels on golden trays – as eager to dress the sports superstar as they are the super model. One of the labels carries the Beckham name. This denotes how, because of his celebrity status, he has become a product himself – with his own trademarks (such as the famous Mohican hair cut) being copied by his fans. The pile of newspapers and magazines that prop up the throne emphasize the role the media plays in creating and sustaining the world of celebrity. However, as the precarious manner in which these are stacked reveals this media creation is built on shaky foundations. And, as one of the newspaper captions (“the world’s most hated man”) reminds us, the media industry is happy to be as cruel as it can be kind because, either way, the story sells. In this respect, the image shows the Beckhams ‘adored’ by the media (represented by the semi-human creatures clothed in banknotes) as the “perfect package able product of [their] age” with a wide public appeal that traverses the worlds of sport, fashion, pop and celebrity. But the fickle nature of this ‘adoration,’ is represented by the eggs and stars that are simultaneously, showered on the them by the media ‘cat’ and ‘dog‘ in Tabloid heaven. The use of the cat and the dog to symbolize the double edged sword of the media is significant in that they each can be read both positively and negatively according to different cultural perspectives. So, the dog can represent man’s best friend, faithfulness and loyalty, or else, darkness and danger. Likewise the cat has been taken to symbolize both good luck and fortune, as well as deceit, ridicule and cruelty. The cat and dog analogy also parallels the rivalry, which exists within the media in their pursuit of the all-important exclusive. Overall, this is a positive portrait of celebrities as role models for success achieved through hard work and determination. It also points to the vulnerability of those who find themselves in the spotlight because of that success and questions whether their elevation to celebrity status through the media makes them fair game for ridicule at its hands. In addition it asks how much we as the viewing/reading public can really know about the real people behind the media -created ‘fantasy’ image. Ultimately, it supports the common sense dictate that one should not believe everything one sees/reads in the media. For, whether depicted as zero or hero the truth is that, like us, most celebrities are probably somewhere in between. AN ASIDE In 2002 this painting caused controversy when, it was misrepresented by the British press, as depicting Beckham and Posh as the Hindu Deities Shiva and Parvati. The Singh Twins felt compelled to post a formal response to Hindu organizations and individuals who voiced objection to the work (see below). As a result of this they received apologies and offers to “help set the record straight” from every objector who had written to them. As a matter of interest, the amount of publicity surrounding the painting was such that it became the subject of a question on the TV quiz show ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’! However, this was little consolation to the Singh Twins since the question itself was wrong – being based on and , therefore, perpetrating the misinformation given in the press. THE ARTISTS’ RESPONSE RE: Expressed concerns over Beckham family portrait In order to respond to your concerns properly we feel we need to first tell you something about our background: As we are sure you are well aware Sikhism teaches that all religions are equal and, therefore, should be afforded equal respect. Coming from a Sikh family WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THIS PRINCIPLE (the images/statues of religious icons from all world faiths take pride of place in our home). We were brought up on the wonderful tales of Hindu mythology and as teenagers traveled extensively around India to learn about our Indian roots in all its diversity – not just from a Sikh perspective.  Also, we studied Hinduism together at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level – both the art and the scriptures. Our Gurus were born Hindus and indeed they considered Hinduism a religion worth defending, fighting and dying for.  Furthermore, the writings of Hindu Saints are included in our Sikh Scriptures. Therefore, the last thing we would ever do would be to insult the Hindu faith which continues to be such an integral part of our own cultural and religious identity.  Our father even gave us Hindu middle names to acknowledge this fact.  We might add that Hindus are included amongst our most closest and dearest friends. We are sorry that you feel offended by our painting of the Beckhams but, unfortunately you have fallen for, the sensationalist headlines, certain misquotes and misrepresentation of the painting by some of the media. To clarify: Contrary to what has been printed, the portrait does NOT show Beckham, Victoria and Brooklyn AS Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh.  If we had wanted to show this we would have made it quite obvious – i.e, we would have depicted Beckham, for instance, holding a trident, a dumroo, and wearing a tiger skin etc.  In fact the painting has been inspired by a traditional image of Shiva and Parvati- merely in terms of the general composition and artistic symbolic language used and is basically a comment on how religious Icons have been replaced by secular ones in a materialistic world that, unfortunately, would rather have sports and pop celebrities as role models instead of the spiritual ones offered by world religions (whether they be Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Hindu Gods, Sikh Gurus, Saints etc, etc).  This is a sad fact of the times we live in and one, which we feel needs to be questioned. In answer to a particular question: No, we would not like it if Beckham were depicted as one of the Sikh Gurus or a Jewish prophet but we have not depicted the Beckhams as Hindu Gods, only as themselves - as secular icons in a secular world. The Beckham portrait is in fact only one in a series of works that look at the relationship between sport, media and celebrity and the impact this has had on modern society. Like all our work these paintings draw upon the rich artistic and symbolic language of our Indian traditions and seek to project a positive image of Asian identity – introducing wider audiences to the beauty and continuing value of our heritage in contemporary Western society but also challenging the established view that Contemporary Art is only relevant if it comes form a Western tradition. We would like to reassure you that when the sports themed works are exhibited there will be detailed commentaries on each painting so there can be no misunderstanding about their content and meanings. We would also like to say that we have received support from Hindu representatives from around the UK and, to be frank, if the newspapers had not mentioned the names of Shiva, Parvati and Ganesh (who incidentally is not in the original painting that inspired us), we doubt that anyone – Hindu or otherwise- would have even seen a connection as the painting does not contain any of the visual symbols that traditionally identify these figures specifically. We appreciate your feedback but were surprised at your response as one of the beauties of the Hindu Faith is its open mindedness where even a stone, or tree can be worshipped as God and which accepts the idea of humans playing the role of Gods in  TV and film. Yours sincerely The Singh Twins