Who wouldn’t want the scent of Titanic dreamboat Leonardo DiCaprio wafting through their house? Obviously, artist Urs Fischer thinks the same way, since he has just crafted a lifesize model of the actor out of wax for his latest Gagosian show. The artwork, titled Leo, consists not only of our favourite Hollywood hunk, but also his parents George DiCaprio and Irmelin Indenbirken.
Fischer’s waxy creation includes not one, but two lifesize models of Leo, who chats to his father while simultaneously hugging his mother. Constructed completely in white and pale shades of pink and blue, the work has a kind of ghostly feel to it, and we can’t help but think that this exhibition is perfectly timed for Halloween. And, just as well, since the candle has already been set on fire – relax, it still exists – and will be allowed to burn gently, with hot wax dripping slowly down Leo’s body throughout the exhibition is the piece eventually decays.
This is not the first time Fischer has decided to craft celebrities out of wax, he previously exhibited a similar work of collector Dasha Zhukova. That said, it has been reported that Leo asked Fischer to make the portrait, so we know he must be a fan of his work. The fact that both of his parents are in the portrait is interesting, since they divorced when Leo was just 1 year old.
For now, gallery girls in Paris should make a dash to Gagosian to catch Leo before he melts away…just like in the Titanic…
Text Lizzy Vartanian
