Early morning kid shows were a huge part of growing up; Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie were popular Sesame Street characters that many children knew and loved. Kids eventually grow-up and get exposed to the realities of life, so why shouldn't these beloved characters go through the same?
California-based digital artist Dan LuVisi re-imagined these popular Sesame Street characters into hardened criminals. Titled ‘My Brother’s Keeper,’ Bert is Ernie’s older brother who left him to fight in the Vietnam War and throughout Bert’s absence, Ernie began to turn into a junkie. This led Ernie into a life of bad decisions, which led him into getting involved with the wrong people. LuVisi also re-creates Cookie Monster as ‘The Cook,’ where the Cookie Monster is a cookie addict who sells his "products" on ‘The Streets.’
Criminalized Kids Show Depictions
Sesame Street Characters Become Hardened Criminals in This Art
Trend Themes
1. Reimagined Character Depictions - Opportunity for artists and content creators to transform beloved characters into new and unconventional roles, appealing to an adult audience.
2. Exploring Dark Realities - Interest in exploring the darker side of childhood icons, allowing for discussions on complex themes and emotions that resonate with adults.
3. Subverting Familiar Narratives - Disruptive opportunity to challenge traditional storylines by portraying familiar characters in unexpected and thought-provoking ways.
Industry Implications
1. Digital Art - Innovation in digital art platforms and tools to enable artists to push boundaries and transform well-known characters into new artistic expressions.
2. Entertainment Media - Opportunity for film, television, and online platforms to explore edgier and adult-oriented content featuring reimagined versions of beloved characters.
3. Consumer Products - Potential for unconventional merchandise and collectibles that cater to adult fans of reimagined character depictions.