 |
| The poster for the show, designed by Monte Beauchamp. The poster is available for purchase for $25 via the Society of Illustrators by ordering here: http://www.societyillustrators.org/Product.aspx?id=11363 This art will also be featured on the upcoming DVD box set fron SHOUT! Factory, The Marx Brothers TV Collection |
The Society of Illustrators presented a 2-floor gallery showing in their museum of illustration of my "Old Jewish Comedians" artwork, curated by Monte Beauchamp. The opening reception was held on March 5th and the show ended May 3rd. The show featured all of my original artwork from my three OJC books, edited by Beauchamp, as well as early rough sketches and additional Jewish comedian-related artwork created for books, magazines, prints and DVD covers. This was the most comprehensive display of my original artwork to date, containing over 115 illustrations, plus biographies of each comedian. Also on display was over one hundred of pieces of rare comedian ephemera from my collection, books, magazines, comic books, records, sheet music, advertisements, brochures, toys, games, buttons, cigar boxes, shoe laces and playing cards, some featuring art by Al Hirschfeld, Jack Davis and Norman Rockwell. Illustrator Stephen Kroninger loaned many rare Jerry Lewis pieces from his collection for the "Jerry Lewis shrine" and Ben Fentington loaned several OJC comedy records for display.
http://www.societyillustrators.org/The-Museum/2014/Jewish-Comedians/Drew-Friedman-s-Old-Jewish-Comedians.aspx
Boing Boing announces the OJC show: http://boingboing.net/2014/01/09/drew-friedmans-old-jewish.html
http://www.societyillustrators.org/The-Museum/2014/Jewish-Comedians/Drew-Friedman-s-Old-Jewish-Comedians.aspx
Boing Boing announces the OJC show: http://boingboing.net/2014/01/09/drew-friedmans-old-jewish.html
The following is a photographic recap of the show, the opening reception, and the two panels held in conjunction with the show, the first at the MoCCA arts festival with Joe Franklin, the second "From the Borscht Belt to Seinfeld" at the Society of Illustrators on E. 63rd St, moderated by Dr. Eddy Portnoy and featuring myself, famed comic Larry Storch and writers Bill Persky and Tom Leopold. Special thanks to Mark G. Parker, Monte Beauchamp and Anelle Miller and the entire staff of the Society of illustrators for making this show happen.
Stephen Kroninger's Drawger blog on the then upcoming show:
http://www.drawger.com/kroninger/?section=articles&article_id=14754
Stephen Kroninger's Drawger blog on the then upcoming show:
http://www.drawger.com/kroninger/?section=articles&article_id=14754
 |
| this large banner was created for the entrance of the show, designed by Monte Beauchamp |
 |
| invitation to the opening reception The Wall St. Journal on the OJC opening reception... http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/SB10001424052702303824204579425204145502212-lMyQjAxMTA0MDAwNzEwNDcyWj The New York Observer covers the opening... http://observer.com/2014/03/drew-friedman-chronicles-americas-jewish-comedians/ The Jewish Daily Forward... http://blogs.forward.com/the-arty-semite/194694/meet-drew-friedman-picasso-of-old-jewish-comedians/ 13th Dimension... http://13thdimension.com/drew-friedman-at-society-of-illustrators/ The following photos are courtesy of the Society of illustrators unless otherwise noted          more ephemera on display...    |
 |
| books, posters and postcards for sale |
 |
the main gallery, pre-opening...                 Watch Joe Franklin at the opening reception as he drops the F-bomb: (via Kevin Dougherty) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsLeqTo_lQs       behind: unknown, smiling photo-bomber                     (the following B&W photos by Ken Farrell)        On April 10th, As part of the MoCCA Arts Fest at the Lexington Ave Armory, and in conjunction with the OJC show, legendary talk show host Joe Franklin and I held a panel to discuss everything Old Jewish Comedians. I also gave a visual preview of my upcoming book "Heroes of the Comics". The panel was filmed and will posted here soon. WNYC: http://www.wnyc.org/story/weekend-staff-picks-cartoons-birds-herbs/ Bleeding Cool on the MoCCA panel: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/04/10/what-you-missed-at-mocca-old-jews-telling-jokes-and-drew-friendmans-heroes-of-the-comics/ Watch the entire MoCCA panel here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyaxgJlL7jc the following panel photos were taken by Bob Greenberg:       On April 24th, The Society of Illustrators hosted a panel to coincide with the show, "From the Borscht Belt to Seinfeld, the evolution of Jewish Comedy", moderated by Yiddish theatre scholar/P.hd Dr. Eddy Portnoy, and featuring comedy legend Larry Storch, famed comedy writers Bill Persky and Tom Leopold, and myself. The sold-out SRO panel was made possible by a grant from the New York Dept of Humanities. http://www.societyillustrators.org/Events-and-Programs/Lectures/2014/Old-Jewish-Comedians/From-the-Borscht-Belt-to-Seinfeld—The-Evolution-of-Jewish-American-Comedy.asp |
http://www.jewcy.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/from-the-borscht-belt-to-seinfeld
Trav SD:
http://travsd.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/from-the-borscht-belt-to-seinfeld-the-evolution-of-jewish-american-comedy/
The entire panel can be watched here:
http://www.societyillustrators.org/VideoArchive.aspx
 |
Larry Storch holding the book containing his portrait in the Society's shop    The following photos were taken by the panel coordinater Suzanne Grossberg (unless otherwise noted):              The Jewish Daily Forward: http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/197619/comedian-tales-its-all-in-the-timing/ |
http://www.jewcy.com/jewish-arts-and-culture/spotlight-on-drew-friedman-legendary-cartoonist
Whatta night, I tell you, ladies and germs! Very cool, Drew. :-)
ReplyDeleteAmazing ...... I've lingered over every photo and read each word ...... looking forward to the video of the panel discussion ...... Must have been a helluva evening ..... Everything looks like it was done right and enjoyed righteously & to the fullest.
ReplyDeleteJesus my face is hurting from smiling so much - thank you a ton...
ReplyDeleteSo now is Gilbert Gottfried the world's youngest old Jewish comedian?
ReplyDeleteYes, Gilbert is officially the world's youngest Old Jewish Comedian.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best use of the internet that I've seen yet. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSuch an exhibit! Such events! Such an illustrator!
ReplyDeleteHi Drew,
ReplyDeleteThese are brilliant! Just one question, when you are drawing these comedians, do you also have their videos/stand ups playing in the background? Do you just study the photos or also study the videos to capture their personalities? Have you met a lot of them personally? And when you have, has that helped in the drawing?
Thanks!
Danesh
I wish Sid Caesar had lived to see it, and I wish I could have gone. I hope the show, like all old New York Jewish comedians eventually, comes to California.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Drew, for your generous and thorough post! Wish I could've been there.
ReplyDelete