Being green might not be that easy, but Kermit the Frog looks pretty relaxed these days. Maybe that’s because the lovable amphibian and several other beloved Muppets have been re-interpreted for the “Muppet Junkies Art Show.”
On display at MegaFauna in the Denver RiNo District, the paintings by Christian OTG and John Houser do not show off the warm and fuzzy characters of your youth.
“I’m sure a lot of people are gonna’ scoff at it, but you have to create divisions with art work,” said John McCaskill, MegaFauna owner. “I think it’s funny.”
This being a whole new Colorado now, many of the two-dozen paintings depict these Muppets using the recent recreational marijuana law to their full advantage.
The works invite you to imagine Kermit crooning “It’s not that easy smoking green” or everyone’s favorite scientific duo, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, recast as Walter and Jesse of Breaking Bad fame.
Again, these aren’t the characters of your youth and they are far afield from Muppet Babies. McCaskill is mounting the show to coincide though with the release of the movie Muppets Most Wanted.
“Thematically this is a little more in tune with a mature audience,” said McCaskill. “It is all 'clean,' 'balanced' [art work]. There is plenty of space to rest your eyes. It has those fine art elements.”
The “Muppet Junkies Art Show” opens April 4.
Arts District is a collaboration of KUNC, RMPBS, and KUVO.
