Rock 'n' Roll Groupie Jewelry Box
from the Groupie Feminism art series
Attributions
3 1/2" x 7" x 5"
Assembled 2020
A key with the word "axxess" on it
A hotel room's bedtime candy wrapper, semi-sheer red
A red rose patch with leaves, from Louisville, KY, ca 1978, representing a groupie who changed her name to a lyric from a song she heard on the radio while at her best friend's apartment, and her best friend who re-named herself after a rock star's daughter
A yellow and white daisy patch, from Louisville, KY, ca 1978, representing a groupie who changed her name to a lyric from a song she heard on the radio while at her best friend's apartment, and her best friend who re-named herself after a rock star's daughter
Skin powder by BIBA in Stardust Gossamer Pink, ca 1979
Guitar string from a groupie's first 6- string guitar, a Carlos acoustic made in Korea, an E or 1st string, clear nylon, by D'Addario Classic ca 1979
A groupie's ring with a diamond-shaped purple stone set in a simple gold band purchased from a drugstore in Louisville, KY, ca 1983
Pink laxative pills, because the groupie became bulimic trying to attain the skinny groupie body pictured in movies and magazines about rock 'n' roll and groupies, ca 1980s
A red heart made of bendable gritty velvet material A packet of pure gold skin moisturizer
A tiny translucent charm in the shape of a heart in a gold setting to represent a groupie's first love, with a boy who looked like a British rock star
A pair of pink, purple, and silver costume jewelry earrings, from a drugstore in Lincoln Heights, CA, ca 2004
A black plastic spindle adaptor for a 45 record from Amoeba Records in Hollywood, ca 2007
Black whisker from a cat named after a song, "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol, ca 2008
White hair from a dog named after a rock star, Dee Dee (Ramone), ca 2016
American Girl library card, found on floor of the AG store at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA, ca 2019
Orange-tipped matches whose box states "come on baby, light my fire," quoting song lyrics by The Doors (1966-1967's "Light My Fire"), from the Riot House Hotel on the Sunset Strip, Los Angeles, CA, New Year's Day, January 1, 2020
A sugar packet from the Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows, New Year's Day, January 1, 2020
Paper lace doily from a hotel coffee shop with a groupie's tears shed while watching and reading about two musical stars, Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board, and Elvis Presley, the King
Concert tickets: AC/DC, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, and Leon Russell (because the groupie's mom adores Leon), ca 1970s - 2000s
A pure gold bracelet from a groupie's first boyfriend, ca 1984. He wrote a poem for her, and he looked like Andy Gibb
A gold glitter heart sticker to represent a groupie's second boyfriend, a boy who grew into a man who became a lifelong and real friend
Guitar pic from a groupie's soul-mate, a singer-songwriter who plays guitar, and who makes shakuhachis, rain sticks, and didgeridoos
Rose petals from a groupie's true love, a punk rock singer-songwriter who rides a Harley-Davidson
A rolled up new five dollar bill from a groupie's rock 'n' roll mom, the best mom ever S
ilver glitter for dreaming of Studio 54 in the 1970s and dancing to a groupie's favorite songs, especially songs by Chic, ABBA, Donna Summer, and Blondie
Jewelry box with mirror and ballerina in gold bodysuit and a white net skirt
An aqua-colored oyster shell with a pearl from American Girl, and a groupie's dark eyelash
Notes:
The song of box: "You Light Up My Life," a 1977 ballad written by Joseph Brooks, might be the song the jewelry box plays.
Gloria Steinem believes the heart shape was trivialized by patriarchy. In ancient cultures, Steinem states in her 1992 book, Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, the heart symbolized female and pro-creative power. My college friend, Jennie Zbikowski, met Steinem at a book signing the year to book came out, and Jennie gave to me a personalized and signed copy of the book from Steinem.
Also, the oyster stays safely in one place after searching on foot for the best spot. Sometimes, an oyster houses an object, and the friction between the two creates a pearl.