Blacklight and "nudie card" bring to mind many things--most of which involve the 1970, drugs, and possibly Ron Jeremy—but artist Ryan McGinness' Blacklight Nudie Cards take a decidedly artistic, though still winkingly salacious, bent. Inspired by cards dating as far back as the 16th century depicting the Kama Sutra as well as 20th century erotic decks that were sold under the guise of art studies (to avoid any legal issues), McGinness (pictured) created a deck of poker-sized cards featuring abstract depictions of nude women done in blacklight paint. For anyone hoping to pass off some Ron Jeremy-style raunch as art at their next poker night, be prepared for a bit of a letdown. "They are art studies to the extent that they are disappointingly not pornographic," says McGinness.Part of a series of events and installations by McGinness at The Standard hotels in Los Angeles throughout May and into June, the cards launch at the Hollywood location on May 28th during his exhibition, Women: The Blacklight Paintings. And if 56 tiny drawings aren't enough, large-scale paintings will be exhibited alongside body-painted dancers.
The cards are $35 and for sale exclusively at The Standard Shop at all four Standard hotels in NY, LA, and Miami as well as online through September.Portrait: Michael Halsband
