Madonna as Pop Culture Icon This Week at LiveAuctionTalk.com
Rosemary McKittrick's weekly column offers a motherload of information and history about the world of art, antiques and collectibles. Visit the site. Sign up for a free weekly subscription.
SANTE FE, CA, February 18, 2011
"I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art," Madonna said. More than a singer. More than a performer or actress, Madonna is a 20th century cultural icon. An experiment in the culture of pop star—someone who's constantly unfolding and transforming herself.Colleges like Harvard have offered classes on Madonna and how she impacts American culture. Like any good work of art she stirs things up.
When the songstress first arrived in New York City in the late-70s she was 19-years-old with $35 in her pocket and a dream of a career in modern dance. She ultimately used her talent as a backup dancer to break into the music business.
She released her first album Madonna in 1983. Dick Clark put her on his popular TV show American Bandstand and the kids couldn't get enough.
"She had some sort of bizarre outfit on," he said. "She looked different—she was different—and they loved her." Madonna took control of her music and her image early on.
Madonna is ranked by Guinness World Records as the most successful female recording artist of all time and the top-earning female recording artist in the world. On March 10, 2008 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The cult of celebrity is a gristmill in America and divas like Madonna keep it churning. Anything belonging to or even signed by her is going to be collectible. On Oct. 8, Julien's Auctions featured a selection of Madonna items in its Legends auction held in Macau, China.
A Dolce & Gabbana stage ensemble outfit from Madonna's Girlie Show sold in the auction for $23,750.
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Rosemary has provided auction coverage and analysis on thousands-and-thousands of antiques and collectibles sold since the column started 16-years ago. She includes auction sale results to give readers a feel for what their treasures are worth because the power of auctions is simple.
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Rosemary is the co-author of The Official Price Guide to Fine Art published by Random House and received her training in the trenches working as a professional appraiser and weekly columnist.
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