There was a bit of overkill in the various positions that the characters of Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson tried out inside Mr. Grey’s playroom, but on a recent viewing of Fifty Shades of Grey, we did take away a few cultural notes — particularly from Christian’s art collection.
A screencap from the film’s trailer in which an Ed Ruscha painting appears in the background. Dakota’s character, Anastasia Steel, meets Christian (played by Jamie) for the first time.
Still basking in the memory of recent art fairs, we sat up in our seats everytime a piece of art popped up - and there were many. Apart from being a freaky control addict, Christian Grey is also really into art! Production designer John Baldessari told Vanity Fair that the quality of Christian’s art collection was very significant to director Sam Taylor-Johnson, as it had to mirror the protagonist's status, connoisseurship and youth.
Here are a few of our personal picks from American pop artist Ed Ruscha (whose "Brother, Sister" is seen in the trailer, above) that might just be what Mr. Grey needs. Somebody hand him the (auction) paddle.
SO
1999, acrylic on canvas, 42 x 84 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
It seems like a good question to ask in foreplay as any.
FALLING CHICLETS
1964, oil on canvas, 67 1/4 x 49 1/2 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
It's something to chew on.
THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR
1982, oil on canvas, 62 x 90 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
It could also be called the Dominant and the Submissive.
SEX
1985, oil on canvas, 59 1/8 x 145 5/8 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
Duh.
FISTFUL OF ALIENS
1986, acrylic on canvas, 46 x 80 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
Fisting? Inappropriate!
UPHILL DRIVER
1986, acrylic on canvas, 54 x 120 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
It's got a dark side.
UNTITLED (GALLEON SHIP SILHOUETTE)
1986, oil and enamel on canvas, 64 x 64 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
Psychoanalysts say the way you describe an ocean is the way you'd describe your sex life.
YES – NO
1987, acrylic on canvas, 54 x 120 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
They could be safe words? Or the opposite.
UNCERTAIN FRONTIER
1987, acrylic on canvas, 22 x 80 inches
Mr. Grey would like it because:
It aptly describes his lust-turned-love for Anastasia.
Paintings by Ed Ruscha
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