This summer marked two years since hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the genre continues to resonate as a defining soundtrack of contemporary culture.
Last year, at the Dallas Contemporary, Chuck D of Public Enemy, a major figure in hip-hop history, took center stage at the museum’s annual gala, which also honored renowned artists Shepard Fairey and Gabrielle Goliath.
Now, the Dallas Contemporary is delving back into hip-hop’s artistic explorations with its latest exhibition titled “Masahiro LaMarsh: Anticlastic.”
This exhibition draws inspiration from the American Museum of Natural History’s recent “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip Hop Jewelry,” stemming from a 2022 publication by Taschen.
Organized by the up-and-coming curator Alexandra Hulsey, the show emphasizes the intimate and personal side of hip-hop jewelry, showcasing the work of rising star LaMarsh, who has an intriguing background blending marble-carving studies in Italy and Iceland with the unique world of hip-hop adornments.
LaMarsh, a biracial Asian-American artist raised in Northern California and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is making waves in the hip-hop jewelry subculture.
His creations have caught the attention of notable figures in the industry, including Michèle Lamy, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and especially Erykah Badu, who serves as both a mentor and a prominent influence on his artistry.
Badu has sported LaMarsh’s designs at high-profile events, including the Met Gala, where she paired his grillz with a standout outfit by Comme des Garçons.
The title of the exhibition, “Anticlastic,” references a technique in jewelry making that transforms flat metal into flowing forms.
Among the various pieces on display, the custom grillz named Seven Gates, created specifically for Badu, stands out for its intricate design.
Featuring Moorish influences and set with Moroccan amethyst in 22K gold, this piece pays homage to the age-old tradition of decorative dentistry, reminiscent of practices from ancient civilizations.
Grillz, known today as a symbol of wealth and style in hip-hop culture, can trace their roots back to the Etruscans and Mayans, who adorned their teeth with gold and jade to signify status.
In Etruscan society, the elite would have their teeth removed for golden replacements, while Mayan royalty wore jade inlays for an added touch of mystique.
Even timeless practices like the Philippine chakang can be noted, where gold bands were passed down as treasured family heirlooms.
As hip-hop emerged in the 1970s, so did the trend of bling, with figures like Slick Rick celebrating the significance of jewelry as a form of personal expression.
The term “bling,” rooted in Jamaican slang, reflects the sound of shine, and over the years, it has evolved in meaning and impact within the hip-hop community.
Nelly’s 2005 music video “Grillz” propelled the term into mainstream consciousness, showcasing the luxurious claims of celebrity grillz and their opulent designs.
Lyrics from the song highlight the extravagant nature of these dental embellishments, representing a cultural moment and the intersection of music and fashion.
Today, custom grillz have transformed into high-end fashion statements, comparable to any other luxury accessory.
The creation of these pieces can be an extensive process, often taking months for jewelers to finalize, especially when catering to high-profile clients within the entertainment realm.
Historically, some pieces of grillz have reached staggering prices, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship and the glittering materials involved, including diamonds and colored stones.
One notable example of such extravagance is Katy Perry’s million-dollar grill, which was recognized as the most valuable grill, setting a Guinness record in 2013.
Masahiro LaMarsh is stepping into the spotlight as the latest master in the art of grillz, blending elements of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.
His work embodies a unique vision characterized by an organic wabi-sabi sensibility intertwined with intricate Islamic motifs.
The exhibition offers a vibrant experience, situated in a specially designed darkened space that heightens the visual drama of LaMarsh’s creations.
Accompanying the display are two insightful film shorts that provide a deeper look into LaMarsh’s creative process for the Seven Gates grillz and explore the historical context of Japanese American internment through the archives of Shigeto, a Detroit-based artist and collaborator.
“Masahiro LaMarsh: Anticlastic” not only showcases the beauty of hip-hop jewelry but also highlights episodes of cultural history and personal narratives woven into the fabric of the genre.
The exhibition underscores the continuing evolution of hip-hop as an artistic movement and its intersection with identity, culture, and social commentary.
image source from：papercitymag
