{"id":14082,"date":"2023-06-23T14:26:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T18:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=14082"},"modified":"2023-06-23T14:30:55","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T18:30:55","slug":"beefcake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/beefcake\/","title":{"rendered":"Beefcake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Josh<\/em> by Michael Sjostedt
12″x9″; vintage magazines, colored vellum; 2023. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

COLLAGE ON VIEW<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beefcake: Michael Sjostedt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

at Fame Lounge\/Eatery in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
2-30 June 2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Michael Sjostedt writes about the work in “Beefcake”:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, bodybuilders were everywhere. From heroes in sword-and-sandal films to oiled-up gym rats in magazines, hunks were presented as the pinnacle of masculinity. All of the kids in school were tapped into it\u2014myself included. Feel my muscles! Watch me lift this rock! I can do 50 pushups! Flexing in mirrors after gym class was a group sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I grew older, I understood the \u201cwink\u201d directed at beefcake in the media. A gay sensibility of idealizing pumped up men in Speedos rubbed right up against the no pain, no gain grit of hypermasculine bros hittin\u2019 the weights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the interrelatedness of queer and hetero male identities became a bit of a pastime for me\u2014in magazines and comics, film and television, and music. (Imagine my delight when the Metal God, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, came out. All of the fist-pumping metal heads were really idolizing an opera-loving leather queen.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That early interest in how men present\u2014and are presented\u2014explains my current fascination with dissecting images of midcentury-era men from a modern-day perspective. What happens when you take a loaded concept of male presentation out of context and reflect on its meaning with a 21st century vocabulary and perspective?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ivan<\/em> by Michael Sjostedt
12″x9″; vintage magazines, colored vellum; 2023. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Beefcake” spotlights the stars of the bodybuilding world from the 50s and 60s, coupled with eroticized illustrations that demonstrate how, you too, can become a hulky dude that some men want and want to be. Looking through these images, it\u2019s hard not to notice how beefcake physiques and poses continue to play a role in how men want to present and be perceived. Skim through Instagram and any of the dating apps. Sure, the beefcake spectrum has expanded to include more body types\u2014and the gay\/hetero sensibilities have further blended\u2014but the bar for idealized, hard-earned physical attractiveness is still influenced by midcentury muscle men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I haven\u2019t grown bored of observing how people Xerox, emulate, and reshape, images and identities they consume in traditional and social media. Like pre-teen me, I have an innate desire to track the trajectory and evolution of what it means to be a man\u2014and how those rules are celebrated, adopted, and challenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

INFORMATION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fame Lounge\/Eatery<\/strong>
386 Dwight Street
Holyoke, Massachusetts 01040 USA
(413) 322-9085<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hours:
Monday-Wednesday, 11AM-3PM
Thursday, 11AM-3PM & 5-10PM
Friday, 11AM-3PM & 5-11PM
Saturday, 5-11PM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MAP<\/a> | WEBSITE<\/a> | FACEBOOK<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

COLLAGE ON VIEW Beefcake: Michael Sjostedt at Fame Lounge\/Eatery in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA2-30 June 2023 Michael Sjostedt writes about the work in “Beefcake”: Growing up in the 70s and 80s, bodybuilders were everywhere. From heroes in sword-and-sandal films to oiled-up…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":14085,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-josh.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/s2QTD7-beefcake","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4068,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/magazine-dream-at-j-rich\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":0},"title":"Magazine Dream at J. Rich","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"8 September 2015","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Michael Sjostedt: \"Magazine Dream\" 11-27 September 2015 Opening reception: 11 September, 5-8PM Michael Sjostedt's \"Magazine Dream\" is the first collection the artist\u00a0created to suit a particular space--a modern men\u2019s clothing store. \u201cJ. Rich\u2019s space has a modern, minimal aesthetic,\u201d said Sjostedt. \u201cCreating work to suit the environment challenged me to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-alteration-iii-web.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-alteration-iii-web.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-alteration-iii-web.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-alteration-iii-web.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3055,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/michael-sjostedt-green-bean\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":1},"title":"Michael Sjostedt at The Green Bean","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"26 June 2014","format":"gallery","excerpt":"2-30 July 2014 \"Magazine Dream: The Picture Perfect Palette\" by Michael Sjostedt Space-age optimism. Backyard bliss. Wide smiles from coast to coast. Mid-century advertisers whet the American appetite for a leisure lifestyle, class climbing ambitions--and freedom. They knew that selling the dream required Technicolor campaigns. Michael Sjostedt's latest work is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-untitled-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-untitled-collage.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-untitled-collage.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-untitled-collage.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11023,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/schematic\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":2},"title":"Schematic","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"12 May 2021","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Schematic 3 by Michael Sjostedt12\"x9\"; vintage magazines, blurprints, various adhesives, vellum, coloredpencil; 2021. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Michael Sjostedt: Schematic at Familiar Trees in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA17 April-29 May 2021 Michael Sjostedt says about this exhibition:Ideas in progress have a special beauty. You can see the formulation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-schematic-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-schematic-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-schematic-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-schematic-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10844,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/the-misfits\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":3},"title":"The Misfits","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"11 March 2021","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Catchin' Air by Michael Sjostedt12\"x9\"; vintage magazines, pencil, letter transfer; 2020. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW The Misfits at PULP Holyoke in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA20 February-14 March 2021 \"The Misfits\" is a group show featuring work by Rebecca Doughty, Torai Keita, Matt Neckers, Claudio Pedraza, and collage artist\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-wavelength-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-wavelength-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-wavelength-3.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-wavelength-3.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4340,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/order-of-chaos-comics-n-more\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":4},"title":"The Order of Chaos at Comics ‘n’ More","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"16 November 2015","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Michael Sjostedt: \"The Order of Chaos\" 28 November 2015-2 January 2016 \"The Order of Chaos\" is the first series Michael Sjostedt created exclusively with materials provided by a location hosting his exhibit. All source materials, comic books from the 1970s through 1990s, are from Comics 'n' More\u2019s collection. \u201cComic book\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-outta-the-way.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-outta-the-way.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-outta-the-way.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-outta-the-way.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6147,"url":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/pink-parameters\/","url_meta":{"origin":14082,"position":5},"title":"Pink Parameters","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"3 September 2017","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Michael Sjostedt: \"Pink Parameters\" 7-30 September 2017 Constraints in creativity. It sounds counter-intuitive, but what happens when parameters are intentional tools in an artistic process? Collage artist Michael Sjostedt worked within self-imposed and pre-determined limitations, forcing experimentation that led to unexpected inspiration. The artist relegated his source material and subject\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-q.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-q.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-q.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-sjostedt-q.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14082"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14085"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}