22-1/2” x 36-1/2” framed
In “Red Scare/Red Skelton,” an absurdist play within “Red World,” the characters of Senator Joseph McCarthy and comedian Red Skelton are paired, embodying the contrasting voices of the 1950s Cold War era. The play combines found audio recordings from radio plays and television appearances to juxtapose McCarthy’s fear-mongering speeches and Skelton’s comedic performances. Mounted on a mobile framework with two-channel audio emitting from speakers, the play creates a dialectical dialogue between the two figures, revealing the inclusive and exclusive nature of their power. Skelton’s populist humor, drawn from his own experiences and societal conventions of the time, often critiqued class differences and societal norms through comedic characters, although some passages reflected the prevalent sexism, homophobia, and racism of the era. McCarthy, known for his anti-communist crusade and smear tactics, utilized similar language steeped in paranoia and prejudice, despite allegations of his own closeted homosexuality. Through this parody, “Red Scare/Red Skelton” highlights the lasting influence of these figures on politics and popular culture, exposing the intersections of conservatism, entertainment, and power dynamics that continue to resonate today.