Andres Serrano's art installation cataloguing 500 Trump-branded items

The Game: All Things Trump Andres Serrano "In the history of science the collector of specimens preceded the zoologist and followed the exponents of natural theology and magic….. However lowly, the work of the collector must be done, before he can proceed to the higher scientific tasks of classification, analysis, experiment and theory making." Aldous Huxley from Heaven and Hell Before Donald Trump was President, he was Donald Trump. This is a portrait of that man. In his first non-photography based installation, Andres Serrano takes us on a curious and insightful tour for a closer look at who Donald Trump is. In a relatively short period of eight weeks with a determination and competitive ferocity worthy of its subject, the artist has amassed a collection of over 500 objects produced by or for Donald Trump. The collection is telling and varies from objects as mundane as shirts, ties, suits, hats, jackets, ice buckets, Teddy Bears and miniature screwdriver sets made for Donald Trump, his brand, his casinos, his hotels, to Trump Tea, Trump Coffee, Trump Ice Water, Trump Coca-Cola, Trump 7-Up, Trump Snapple, and the more exotic $1,000 Trump Steaks (“The Best!”), Trump Vodka packed in 24 carat gold plated bottles, a Trump deodorant named “Success” and a Trump cologne called “Empire.” In addition to the merchandise for Trump Plaza, Trump Harrah’s Casino, Trump Marina, Trump Castle, Trump Tai Mahal, Trump University and Trump Shuttle there are casino chips, boxing invites, concert invites and many many more objects all bearing the name “Trump.” This colorful collection is mostly self-explanatory but the artist plans to present each object with a museum-like label not unlike in a curiosity cabinet or an anthropological study room. Of particular interest are more than fifty magazines with Donald Trump on the cover. Although, most of the magazines are ten, twenty or more years old, there are some more recent ones including a copy of The Atlantic from June 2016 with the cover story, “The Mind Of Donald Trump,” Time Magazine’s issue “Deal with it” from August 21, 2015 and another Time Magazine dated March 14, 2016 with the words “bully, showman, party crasher and demagogue” written across Donald Trump’s face. All three magazines are signed by Donald Trump. Also included are several high priced special edition items made for VIP’s such as a beautiful Taj Mahal leather jacket and a Taj Mahal Golf Bag and Clubs as well as a 1994 Trump Castle Casino Birthday Invitation titled, “Trump, Lord Of The Financial Jungle.” The centerpiece of the installation is a sizable portrait of Donald Trump taken by Andres Serrano in 2004 for his “America” series and a giant rotating sculpture below it. The sculpture, which is more than 10 feet tall, is the word, EGO, spelled vertically, an elegant sign that once greeted visitors at the entrance of Trump’s Taj Mahal Casino's Ego Lounge. Finally, there are several board games including “Trump Monopoly,” “The Apprentice Game” and “Trump: The Game.” The premise of “The Game” is stated on the box. “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s whether you win.” There are different versions of “The Game,” including one in French, all to be laid out in several locations in the gallery under glass. What kind of game was it, or is it? Who wins, and who loses? That’s for the audience to decide. The artist prefers to stay neutral. “It’s a portrait of a man painted with his own brushes,” says Andres Serrano. Donald Trump Signature Collection crest Striped 100% Silk Neck Ties Donald Trump Signature Collection Dress Shirt Trump Taj Mahal Sweatshirt Trump International Hotel And Tower Las Vegas Hoodie Trump Castle Jacket 1990 Trump Taj Mahal Leather Jacket. Given to a select few when the casino opened. One of 200 made. Trump Ice Water Donald Trump - 20 Years in Atlantic City 2003, Coca-Cola Full 6 Pack Trump Marina Casino Chip - FIRST LADY MELANIA, Atlantic City, NJ Trump Marina Casino Chip - BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY - Atlantic City, NJ Trump Plaza Casino Chip - BLESS OUR TROOPS - Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal Collectable Golf Bag White Burton Tour Bag commemorating Trump Taj Mahal grand opening, April 1990. Comes with matching rain hood and head covers. Grand opening gift for VIP's. TRUMP STEAKS - “THE WORLD GREATEST STEAKS” 2007 Donald Trump registered "Trump Steaks" as a U.S. trademark in August 2006. [5] Trump Steaks were launched on May 8, 2007, exclusively through The Sharper Image catalog, stores, and website as part of a three-month trial period. Trump Steaks were only sold at The Sharper Image for two months before being discontinued. TRUMP STEAKS Brochure from The Sharper Image 2007 Miss USA 2001 Gary, Indiana The Pageant was owned by Donald Trump from 1996 to 2015 Trump Plaza Super Bowl Football “Sunday, February 1, 2004” 2006 Trump Vodka -750ml 24K Bottle “Success” Deodorant Stick for Men by Donald Trump, 2.5 oz Trump Plaza Casino - “Cash Money Tuxedo Teddy Bear” 1999 1994 July 28, 2017 1994 Poster “Trump, Lord Of The Financial Jungle” In 1994, this poster was sent to High Rollers inviting them to a Birthday Party for Donald Trump. The party was held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Trump Castle. Donald Trump: The Man, the Myth, the Scandal by Joel Reed, published by Masquerade Books, 1990, 1st printing Trump: The Art of The Deal By: Donald Trump With Tony Schwartz (1987) Donald Trump “The Game. I’m Back & You’re Fired” Vintage Board Game Donald 2004 “THE GAME” Donald TRUMP The Game 1989 Vintage Milton Bradley Board Game Chairs and Table from Trump Plaza Casino Taj Mahal EGO Lounge Sign - Trump Hotel and Casino “Donald Trump, 2004 (America)” Andres Serrano