80 Washington Square East, NYU

Danny McDonald

June 8 – August 13, 2022

80WSE

80 Washington Square East opens an exhibition of works by Danny McDonald. The exhibition consists of sculpture from 2007 to the present. Toys and action figures from the franchised realms of science-fiction, horror, and fantasy are repurposed and combined into unsettling, comedic tableaus. Among other found objects and craft materials, these characters find themselves in new roles, precarious totems, and dollhouse-scale dilemmas. 

McDonald has lived in New York since 1989. He moved to the city from Los Angeles to attend Cooper Union, where he met the artists who later formed Art Club2000. Together with art dealer Colin de Land, the group produced annual shows at his downtown gallery, American Fine Arts, Co., and exhibited internationally throughout the 1990s. Since then, McDonald has made exhibitions, video, and performance, as well as producing a commercial jewelry line called Mended Veil.

Curated by Rhea Anastas and Robert Snowden. Produced by Lucas Quigley, Jon Huron. Installed by Olivia Andrews, Matt Browning 

Thanks to to all lenders to the exhibition: Candace Barasch Family, Tom Borgese, Eleanor Cayre and Bobby Cayre, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Bridget Donahue, Moisés Cosío Espinosa / Fundación M, Alex Israel, Jacob Kassay, John Kelsey, Barbara and Howard Morse, Eleanor Heyman Propp, Ben Stiller, Jean-Edouard van Praet d’Amerloo. 

Thanks also to José Rojas, Fernando Mesta, Gabriela Magaña, Luisa Fernanda, Jackie Kennedy, Bedros Yeretzian, Nicola Lees, and Lia Gangitano. 

Image from outside the building featuring a large glass window with two main front facing panes. One can see outlines of the objects within the exhibition. The building's red and white striped brick exterior frames either side of the window.
Installation view featuring three objects. In the foreground is a large skull laying flat on a pedestal, facing up towards the ceiling. On top of the skull is a small figure of Gollum, a character from Tolkien that is an unclothed, string-haired, scraggly creature. The Gollum figure looks into a large circular mirror on top of the skull. In the middle ground, off to the left sitting atop a pedestal is a branch with a fish figurine. The fish's mouth is wide open to show a row of large white teeth. A dangling green bulb hangs in front of its mouth from the top of the fish. In front of the figure is a small clown fish figurine. The scene is from the Pixar movie Nemo. On the back wall, to the right is a shelf with a group of various small figurines.
Close-up image of a sculpture work. The work features a small Gollum figurine from the Tolkien series. The figure is sitting atop an oversized skull which is facing up towards the ceiling. The figure looks into a small pocket mirror and it's reflection stares back at the viewer to reveal open eyes and strings of hair.
Gallery installation view featuring a pedestal in the left foreground, a pedestal on the right middle ground, and a work on the back wall. On the pedestal in the foreground, there is a large skull facing the ceiling. Atop the skull sits a small Gollum figurine, a character from Tolkien that is small and skinny with goblin-like features. It holds onto a small circular object and peers into it. It is naked and has string like hair and wide eyes. On the pedestal in the middle ground is an angler fish with a wide open mouth revealing long and sharp white teeth and a green antenna dangling above a fish just in front of its mouth. The fish is an orange clown fish and the scene is supposed to resemble Pixar's FINDING NEMO animated movie. Both fish figurines are on top of a thick, dark brown branch. In the back of the view, on the wall is a shelf. On top of the small shelf area a group of zombie figurines in various sizes. To the left in the back is the gallery window which is open, allowing for sunlight and a view into the park across the street which is fraught with green foliage.
Image of a sculpture featuring several zombie and mummy figurines jumbled together in various sizes. On the right of the sculpture is a white and red pill encased in a glass half-cylinder.
Close-up image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a several zombie and mummy figurines.
Installation view of six pedestals in the exhibition. Sculptures sit atop the pedestals and are scattered across the room.
Up-close image of a sculpture featuring the front of an angler fish atop a large, thick branch, on a pedestal. In front of the angler, is a small clown fish.
Up-close image of a sculpture featuring the back of an angler fish atop a large, thick branch, on a pedestal. In front of the angler, is a small clown fish.
Image of a figurine on a white pedestal. The figure features a dark, rotten tree trunk with no branches or leaves. In the hole of the trunk is the top half of a skeletal-like demon-like figure with grey skin, a wide open mouthed smile, and wide open white eyes. The figure holds a grey square with a red button on it.
Up-close image of a tree trunk figurine. Various guns and rifles spill out of a hole in the tree.
Installation view of three figurines on three white pedestals. On the right, is a figurine of a dark, rotten tree trunk. In the middle is a figurine of a barrel, and on the left, is a figurine of a seated figure holding a change of pennies.
Close-up installation view of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a brown barrel on which sits the top half of a fake skeleton figure. The skeleton is surrounded by small orbs and marbles and holds a clear orb in its bony hand. It's eyes are wide open and looks up at the viewer with big orange eyes. It is draped with a net of metal chain with small white beads.
Atop a white pedestal, sits a figurine of a lamppost and garbage can. On the garbage can sits a male figure wearing a black suit, red bowtie, and black top hat. He looks off to the side with a slight smiled expression. A chain is draped around his neck on which hangs eight pennies all descending in size. They hang off the pedestal, below the figurines base.
Installation image of two pedestals. Sculptures sit atop the pedestals. One pedestal is against a white wall in the foreground and the other can pedestal sits in the background down a hallway.
Installation image of two white pedestals in the exhibition. Sculptures sit atop the pedestals.
Image of two white pedestals in the exhibition in the foreground of the installation image. Sculptures sit atop the pedestals. In the background, another sculpture stands atop a white pedestal.
Close-up image of a figurine holding an orb in front of its face. The orb reflects the face upside down and reveals a terrifying, open-mouthed monstrous figure with deep set eyes. The figure wears a white top hat and has stringy, grey hair. It's arms are wrapped around the orb which sits upon a brass claw foot pedestal.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring several figurines crowded around a larger figurine who seems to have fainted. The figurines include several variations of Frankenstein crowding around a large version of Frankenstein.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring several figurines crowded around a larger figurine who seems to have fainted. The figurines include several variations of Frankenstein crowding around a large version of Frankenstein.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring several figurines crowded around a larger figurine who seems to have fainted. The figurines include several variations of Frankenstein crowding around a large version of Frankenstein.
Image featuring one white pedestal in the exhibition. A sculpture sits atop the pedestal.
Image of a sculpture from the exhibition featuring a fake green, model sized room. The letters G, O, O, D, B, and Y are on the wall. the letter Y holds up the window. A figure on the left, outside of the room lifts up his leg to kick the wall. On the right, another figure braces to jump from the top edge of the wall.
Close-up image of letters hung on a green wall of a model room. The letters, G, O, O, D, B, and Y are hung on the wall in various fonts. The letter 'Y' is being used to prop open the fake, model window and other letters are scattered on the floor. On the right there is a chair with a telephone on it.
Close-up image of a Frankenstein character figuring crouched in a small box. The figurine has green skin, a green shirt, black hair, black boots, and brown pants. It is holing a paintbrush in it's right hand.
Close-up image of a figurine sculpture featuring a Frankenstein character figurine with green skin, black hair, and a green jacket. The figure is next to a black sign with white writing that says, "STOP ARRESTING ARTISTS." The figure holds a paintbrush as if it recently finished painting the sign.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a model version of a wooden hallway. At the end of the hallway, an open-window reveals a red brick wall. In the hallway, crouched on the ground is a werewolf character figurine wearing a green long-sleeve top and dark pants. Opposite the figurine, a dark colored guitar figurine leans against the wall.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a cluster of character figurines stand next to a door. The door states, "FOR RENT" on a red sign with white lettering. Below the red sign, the words "ALTERNATIVE SPACE" are blocked onto the door in black typeface. The small door is locked with a padlock and is set into a grey brick wall. The figurines seem to wait outside the door. A figurine with grey skin, wearing orange robes and prayer beads points to the "FOR SALE" red sign. Next to this figurine, on the ground, a frightened girl wearing a pink nightgown, walks bent over her back on all fours. Behind the girl, a man in a dark robe faces the door with his arms outstretched in a cautious nature. Behind the man in a dark robe, a silver robot figurine can be seen peaking from behind the crowd. Facing the audience, is a green female figurine wearing a pink, tulle dress. In front of this is a scary bald figure wearing a black dress with its hand on its hips, staring out at the viewer. The rest of the crowd includes a Bride of Frankenstein figure with large black hair and a white stripe and beige outfit; a small witch figurine holding an apple, wearing a draping black robe; a large headed, zombie-esque figurine with green face, and grey hair; a man figurine wearing a black robe with long brown hair; a female figurine with voluptuous breasts, a face full of intense makeup, and black hair; a Frank-N-Furter character figurine from Rocky Horror Picture Show complete with a necklace of pearls, long black gloves, a head of black curly hair, and makeup of a white face, red cheeks, and red lips; and finally, a female figurine in a latex top and black pants and boots, with large white, bulging eyes and brown hair. Towering over the crowd is a green faced witch with long, messy brown hair and a pointy black hat.
Close-up image of a grey figure wearing a orange robe against a grey brick wall. The figure points at a door in the wall that says, "FOR RENT," on a red sign and below that, "ALTERNATIVE SPACE" in all capital black lettering. The door has a big metal handle, and a is locked with a chain and a padlock.
Installation view of the exhibition featuring a Darth Vader character figurine that is dressed in all black holding a smaller figurine by the neck. The figurines are atop a white pedestal. In the background of the image, there is two more pedestals with illegible objects atop them.
Image of a figurine in the exhibition featuring a Darth Vader character in all black, complete with a helmet and cape, holding the neck of a smaller cheery-eyed figurine wearing a grey suit. The figurine has rosy red cheeks, a big red smile, and a red bowtie. His white choose dangle off of as the Darth Vader character holds him out into the abyss. The figures are displayed on a white pedestal.
Image of four works in the exhibition with the view of three sculptures on pedestals scattered throughout the background. In the foreground, on the wall hangs a monstrous Uncle Sam figurine sitting on a gold mask with a long nose. The figurines red and white striped legs come through the eyeholes of the mask. The figurine's arms are outstretched and hold a coiling, gold ribbon in each on. The figurine wears a navy blue coat, with gold buttons, and a white undershirt and red bowtie. With deep set eyes and scraggly grey hair emerging from it's white top hat, the figurine is posed open-mouthed at the audience with a crazed look upon it's face.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a monstrous Uncle Sam figurine sitting on a gold mask with a long nose. The figurines red and white striped legs come through the eyeholes of the mask. The figurine's arms are outstretched and hold a coiling, gold ribbon in each on. The figurine wears a navy blue coat, with gold buttons, and a white undershirt and red bowtie. With deep set eyes and scraggly grey hair emerging from it's white top hat, the figurine is posed open-mouthed at the audience with a crazed look upon it's face.
Image of six sculptures in the exhibition scattered around the room on white pedestals.
Image of four sculptures in the exhibition scattered around the room atop white pedestals.
Image a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a conglomeration of multiple figurines of "The Incredible Hulk' stacked upon one another inside a glass half-cylinder.
Image of a sculpture that consists of a small figurine of Benjamin Franklin, who holds a key and a kite string. The Ben Franklin figurine stands on top of a figurine in an electric chair which is sitting on top of a figurine who wears a covering over one eye. The shoulders of this figurine sit atop a large Frankenstein head.
Installation image of three sculptures in the exhibition scattered around the room on three white pedestals.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring the head of a Gene Simmons from KISS character, with a bald head and white painted face with black lips and a black triangle on the forehead and underneath the eyes. Other smaller character figurines surround the head. The red shoes, red hair, and yellow outfit of Ronald McDonald are seated on the left of the head back to back with a army character dressed in camo, with a camo painted face in green, grey, and brown. Next to the head, on the right side, whose tongue is sticking out of its mouth, is a Joker character figurine complete with a long black jacket and boots. The Joker has a white painted face, red lips, and green hair. On top of the Joker figurine, facing away from the viewer is a football player figurine dressed in full gear. The figurine's arm is holding a football, pulled back and ready to launch the football.
Installation image of three sculptures in the exhibition scattered around the room on three white pedestals.
Installation image of three sculptures in the exhibition scattered around the room on three white pedestals.
Installation view of three white pedestals with sculptures scattered across the room.
Close-up sculpture in the exhibition featuring a stack of figurines. From top to bottom, the figurines are a small white, shiny alien with a large balloon head and dark teardrop eyes, standing atop a white unicorn, which is standing atop a dark red, satanic figure with fiery eyes and massive horns. The figure is laying flat and its legs are on the shoulders of a white dinosaur-like figure with big yellow horns and big wings. The Satanic figure's palms are outstretched and in its palm holds a small nymph-fairy figure. The dinosaur stands atop a Santa Claus with a classic red hat, long white beard, and wire-rimmed oval glasses. On the back of Santa's head is attached a bigfoot figurine and a small white sheet ghost figurine. At the base of these figurines a Jesus holding a big wooden cross in a white toga. On the bottom of the toga, is a small red-eyed reptilian creature figurine. The very bottom base appears to be white, cloud-like shapes.
Close-up sculpture in the exhibition featuring a stack of figurines. From top to bottom, the figurines are a small white, shiny alien with a large balloon head and dark teardrop eyes, standing atop a white unicorn, which is standing atop a dark red, satanic figure with fiery eyes and massive horns. The figure is laying flat and its legs are on the shoulders of a white dinosaur-like figure with big yellow horns and big wings. The Satanic figure's palms are outstretched and in its palm holds a small nymph-fairy figure. The dinosaur stands atop a Santa Claus with a classic red hat, long white beard, and wire-rimmed oval glasses. On the back of Santa's head is attached a bigfoot figurine and a small white sheet ghost figurine. At the base of these figurines a Jesus holding a big wooden cross in a white toga. On the bottom of the toga, is a small red-eyed reptilian creature figurine. The very bottom base appears to be white, cloud-like shapes.
Close-up detail image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a stack of fruit and vegetables. From top to bottom, the sculpture includes corn, oranges, carrots, bell peppers, and strawberries, arranged in a topsy-turvy tower pattern. A figurine stands on the corn in a white chefs top, white pants, and white boots. The figure has a cartoonish face, with bulging eyes, raised eyebrows, a large red tongue sticking out of its mouth and dark brown, slick backed hair. It wields a large needle in one arm and looks crazily at the fruit as if it is about to attack. Underneath this figurine is a model of fake green bananas and grapes. All of these figures sit atop a large green Frankenstein head that holds a piece of wheat in its mouth.
Close-up detail image of a sculpture in the exhibition featuring a stack of fruit and vegetables. From top to bottom, the sculpture includes corn, oranges, carrots, bell peppers, and strawberries, arranged in a topsy-turvy tower pattern. A figurine stands on the corn in a white chefs top, white pants, and white boots. The figure has a cartoonish face, with bulging eyes, raised eyebrows, a large red tongue sticking out of its mouth and dark brown, slick backed hair. It wields a large needle in one arm and looks crazily at the fruit as if it is about to attack.
Image of a sculpture in the installation. From bottom to top, a yellowish bathtub filled with iridescent white beads sits atop a white pedestal. In the bath, from the knees up is a muscular figurine with no shirt on. The figurine wears small black shorts, and is wrapped in a towel designed like a one dollar bill, the figurine holds a bedazzled handheld mirror in one hand and stares directly at the viewer with sharp, blue eyes and dark eyebrows. The figuring is bald and has a large, black tattoo on its pectoral. On the shoulders of the figurine sits the black pants and shoes of a Freddy Krueger character figurine. In the classic red striped sweater, the figurine holds its gloved hand up to it's burnt face, showing gritting white teeth. Atop this figurine, sits a Gollum character figurine with its arms outstretched, standing on the shoulders of the figurine below. Atop the Gollum character figurine, is a very small Dr. Evil character figurine in a classic silver suit and bald head.
Close-up image of a sculpture from the exhibition featuring a Freddy Krueger character figurine with a red and brown striped shirt, and bloody raw muscle face. It is holding a brown gloved hand up to its forehead. A Gollum character figurine is seated atop the Freddy Krueger figurine. The figurine looks down onto the figure below with its naked body and arms stretched out to the side. Atop Gollum, sits a Dr. Evil character figurine complete with a bald head, silver top and pants. The arms are outstretched as it sits atop the other two figurines.
Installation view of four white pedestals with sculptures atop them scattered throughout the rooms.
Close-up image of a sculpture of a potato chip tin with the words "POTATO CHIPS, 76 BICENTENNIAL' written in typeface across the top and bottom. In between sits an eagle holding an emblem of red and white stripes and a branch. Atop the potato chip tin, which is open, with fake potato chips, emerges a blue hand holding that is stuffing potato chips into the mouth of a green, zombie-like Uncle Sam figurine. The figure wears a red and white striped hat and has strands of white and grey hair flying out from under its hat. The figure has droopy scary eyes and teal skin.
Installation image of three pedestals with sculptures scattered across the room.
Close-up image of a skeleton figure standing on the mouth of a clear, glass bottle. It is holding onto the straw that emerges from the bottle. The figure is a skeleton dressed up as a Ronald McDonal character figurine. With red shoes, a yellow jumpsuit, white and red striped long sleeve shirt, and a big white color. The figure holds a small skull in its right hand. The figure has a white painted face, with a red nose, and big red painted clown lips. The figure has large red fluffy hair.
Installation view of the exhibition featuring a orange pumpkin with a black mask on it. The black mask has a long pointed nose, like a crow. The sculpture sits on a white pedestal. In the background of the image, there is a artwork on the wall featuring a a skeletal figure dressed in a black cloak, mid-run as it pushes open a grey door against a brick wall. The figure holds a small piece of art in a gold frame.
Close-up image of a sculpture in the exhibition, hung on a wall, featuring the grim reaper, a skeletal figure dressed in a black cloak, mid-run as it pushes open a grey door against a brick wall. The figure holds a small piece of art in a gold frame.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition of an orange and grey-ish blue globe. The globe sits on a pedestal. There is a circular hole on the top of the globe.
Image of a sculpture in the exhibition of a green and blue globe. The globe sits on a pedestal at an angle. There is a circular hole on top of the globe.
Image of sculpture made from a glass orb that magnifies a close up picture of an old man, most likely a president on a piece of paper money. It is in black and white and only a part of the face is magnified.
Up-close image of a sculpture in the installation. There is a glass orb that magnifies an image of a president from a paper piece of money. Only the man's left eye, right eye, and nose are shown on left facing profile. The man's right eye is replaced with a spiral design.
Image of the gallery window inside the gallery space. There is one large window withe four separate panes. From the window view there is lots of green foliage from across the street.
Outside view of the gallery space. There is one large window with two panels. From the outside, it appears to be only white walls. On either side of the large window pane, are red bricks of the building evenly and intermittently striped with white brick.