*Redacted*

Artist Notes

Tearing imagery is a consistent theme that appears in my artwork. Hand scanned images of tears were used and digitally blended in photoshop to complete the final image. Hidden throughout the artwork are censorship themed articles directly from the PLAYBOY Archives. Throughout my completed works, I find myself regularly recycling work from John William Godward, one of my favorite academic artists whose work is scattered throughout portions of this image.

Playboy Notes

Redacted marries two classic Playboy themes that are as relevant today as they were at the brand’s inception: fine art and freedom-of-speech. Since 1953, Playboy has been an advocate for creative expression both in and outside the pages of the magazine, beginning in the late 1950s, when the brand won a legal battle against the United States Postal Service for its attempt to block distribution of the publication on the grounds of obscenity. In 1962, the magazine introduced the Playboy Interview, a longstanding editorial series that has provided a pulpit for nearly 700 cultural figures and thought leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Bernie Sanders and Jemele Hill, to name just a few. Redacted pays its respects to this key component of Playboy’s DNA and the brand’s rich history in art and graphic design through collage material that features an article about a Reagan-era attempt to censor PLAYBOY, layered atop contemporary photography and illustration.

Rabbit Tales

Fun fact: Since PLAYBOY’s second issue in December 1954, a Rabbit of some kind has appeared on nearly every cover of PLAYBOY magazine—sometimes prominently, often cleverly hidden. Some are surprisingly hard to find, and editors often provided readers with a light-hearted clue in the beginning of each issue. Slimesunday agreed to help us continue the tradition by concealing our mischievous mascot in each NFT in the Liquid Summer Collection. Happy hunting.

Hidden Rabbit Head Clue: When it comes to standing up for free speech, our Rabbit firmly believes you should raise your fist and hodl on tight to your convictions.

Original Credits

April 2018 Playmate Nereyda Bird featured in the pictorial “Bird of Paradise.” Collage material from “Defying the Anti-Porn Police” by James R. Petersen, illustrated by Rob Stites.

Explore the complete Liquid Summer collection here.