- Title: O.J. Simpson exhibit turns memorabilia into art
- Date: 17th August 2017
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 17, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GALLERY FEATURING 'THE O.J. MUSEUM' EXHIBIT HELMET SIGNED BY O.J. SIMPSON VARIOUS OF SIMPSON ARTWORK
- Embargoed: 31st August 2017 22:49
- Keywords: O.J. Simpson museum exhibit Nicole Brown Simpson Ron Goldman Bronco
- Location: LOVELOCK, NEVADA AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
- City: LOVELOCK, NEVADA AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION
- Country: USA
- Topics: Art,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016UJR5ND
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Twenty-two years after the wrap of the 'trial of the century,' a new art exhibit examines the public's fascination with O.J. Simpson as seen through the memorabilia that circulated during his 11 month murder trial.
Held in Los Angeles' Coagula Curatorial Gallery, the "The O.J. Museum" features artwork, clothing, newspapers, and magazines that were created during the 1994-1995 case.
"This is dedicated to the fan culture, the public's obsession with O.J. as a hero and an anti-hero," said the show's curator Adam Papagan.
An entire wall is crowded with dozens of Simpson-themed T-shirts featuring slogans like "Don't Squeeze the Juice" and "The Juice is Loose" that Papagan said were sold around the city during the trial.
"This is before people had Photoshop and it was a lot harder to get a T-shirt made. And people were still choosing to do it. So, it's just very interesting that the public's obsession took this turn into apparel," said Papagan.
Another Simpson artifact is a banner, signed with messages from people who waited outside his Rockingham Avenue home on June 17, 1994 - the day of his infamous car chase, where police tailed Simpson's Ford Bronco on L.A.'s 405 freeway.
"A guy sent me a Facebook message. He said that he and his brother went up to Rockingham when the chase was going on. O.J. got home. He got arrested. People put that sign up. They waited for every single last person to sign their messages to O.J. and then they ripped it off the gate, ran back to their car, and it's been under this guy's bed for the past 23 years."
Simpson was acquitted of the June 12, 1994 murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman.
He was recently granted parole after nine years in jail for a bungled armed robbery in which he attempted to steal mementos from his own legendary sports career. He's due to be released in October.
"The O.J. Museum" will open to the public on Friday (August 18) for a five-day run. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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