Alec Monopoly
{{Short description|American street artist and DJ}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Alec Monopoly
| image = Alec_Monopoly.jpg
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| caption = Alec Monopoly Wiba Award Cannes 2022
| birth_name = Alec Andon
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| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.
| death_date =
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| nationality = {{USA}}
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Alec Andon,{{Cite web|url=http://www.boweryboogie.com/2015/12/dont-pass-go-unpacking-feud-between-mike-mozart-alec-monopoly/ |last=Siegel |first=Allison |date=10 December 2015 |publisher=Bowery Boogie |title=Don't Pass Go: Unpacking the Feud Between Mike Mozart and Alec Monopoly |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529125931/http://www.boweryboogie.com/2015/12/dont-pass-go-unpacking-feud-between-mike-mozart-alec-monopoly/ |archive-date=29 May 2016 |url-status=dead }} professionally known as Alec Monopoly, is a street artist, and DJ, originally from New York City. His signature is covering his face with his hand or using a medical face mask to hide his facial identity. He is noted for using the Parker Brothers board game Monopoly character "Mr. Monopoly" (today part of the Hasbro brand). The artist has also worked in the urban environments of Miami, Los Angeles, Europe, Mexico, and throughout Asia using varied materials (including stencils, spray paint, epoxies, varnishes, and newspapers) to depict various iconic pop culture characters. He also is a brand ambassador with Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and created a mural live, on red carpet for the 2013 film Justin Bieber's Believe. Monopoly's work has been purchased by such notable people as Philipp Plein, Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke, Snoop Dogg, Seth Rogen, Adrien Brody, and Iggy Azalea, among others.{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/11/28/alec-monopoly_n_4356321.html |last=Tucker |first=Matthew |date=23 January 2014 |work=Huffington Post |title=Alec Monopoly Interview: American Street Artist Takes On 'Extreme Capitalism' |access-date=3 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305232145/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/11/28/alec-monopoly_n_4356321.html |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}
Life and work
Alec Monopoly grew up in New York and moved to Los Angeles in 2006. He found working there was easier because of the many billboards in the city and because of the more exclusive nature of New York City's art scene.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/style/2010/12/alec-monopoly/la |last=Carbone |first=Bradley |date=6 December 2010 |publisher=Complex Media |title=Art Interview: Alec Monopoly Talks Evading Arrest, Aloe Blacc, and the Mr. Brainwash Hoax |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414075020/http://www.complex.com/style/2010/12/alec-monopoly/la |archive-date=14 April 2016 |url-status=dead }} He is of Armenian descent.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-17 |title=Սթրիթ արթի արքա Ալեք Մոնոպոլիի նվերը Երևանին |url=https://hetq.am/hy/article/172688?fbclid=IwY2xjawIj4uVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeDIDrfq8aiaOpUbqKAH-UwGqL7QoiGMM9eyMYVoKaGhlyDeMctz-EUVAA_aem_tih1I84a59W0lWFOsUidpw |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Hetq.am |language=hy}}
Monopoly is best known for his tuxedoed and top-hatted graffiti characterization of Monopoly Man,{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-wellington-ennis/who-is-alec-monopoly_b_682398.html |last=Ennis |first=John |date=25 May 2011 |work=Huffington Post |title=The Blog: Who Is Alec Monopoly? |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322060216/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-wellington-ennis/who-is-alec-monopoly_b_682398.html |archive-date=22 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} an idea originally inspired by the stockbroker Bernie Madoff. According to John Wellington Ennis writing for the Huffington Post, "In an era of billion dollar bailouts for banks that already own the country and moguls decrying regulation as un-American, the re-contextualization of the childhood symbol of success and wealth almost needed no explanation." Monopoly also pastes up images of Jack Nicholson.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thedirtfloor.com/2010/04/25/monopoly-man-interview-with-street-artist-alec/ |last=Perez |first=Pablo |date=25 April 2010 |publisher=The Dirt Floor |title=Monopoly Man: Interview with Street Artist Alec |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504091402/http://www.thedirtfloor.com/2010/04/25/monopoly-man-interview-with-street-artist-alec/ |archive-date=4 May 2016 |url-status=dead }}
In November 2010 he had his first solo gallery show in New York City.{{Cite web|url=http://www.juxtapoz.com/current/feature-interview-with-alec-monopoly |last=Fetch |first=Brock |date=16 Nov 2010 |publisher=Juxtapoz: The Art & Culture Magazine |title=Feature: Interview with Alec Monopoly |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504091402/http://www.thedirtfloor.com/2010/04/25/monopoly-man-interview-with-street-artist-alec/ |archive-date=4 May 2016 |url-status=dead }} In December 2010, he took part in an exhibition at the Mondrian Hotel as part of Art Basel Miami Beach. In 2013, he hosted a yacht party at Art Basel Miami Beach, sponsored by Samsung.{{Cite web |url=http://laist.com/2013/12/18/street_artist_alec_monopoly_is_pain.php |last=Trinh |first=Jean |date=16 November 2010 |title=Street Artist Alec Monopoly Is Painting The Mural For Justin Bieber's Movie Premiere |work=LAist |access-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520052218/http://laist.com/2013/12/18/street_artist_alec_monopoly_is_pain.php |archive-date=20 May 2016}} In 2021, Monopoly collaborated with the media company Barstool Sports to sell exclusive merchandise in an effort to raise money for the Barstool Fund which is raising money for small businesses as a part of a COVID-19 relief effort.
In July 2021, Alec Monopoly collaborated with Jacob & Co. to create the Astronomia Alec Monopoly watch, a $600,000 limited-edition timepiece with only nine pieces produced. The watch features hand-painted miniatures of Monopoly’s iconic characters, like “The Monopoly Man,” set within the Astronomia’s intricate four-arm movement and sapphire crystal case. This marked Monopoly’s first partnership with Jacob & Co., blending his vibrant street art with luxury watchmaking.{{Cite web |last=Naas |first=Roberta |title=Jacob & Co. Unveils $600,000 Alec Monopoly Collaboration Watch |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertanaas/2021/07/07/jacob--co-unveils-600000-alec-monopoly-collaboration-watch/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Jacob & Co. and Alec Monopoly Partnership |url=https://jacobandco.com/partnerships/alec-monopoly |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Jacob&Co. |language=en}}
In November 2024, Alec Monopoly collaborated with Jake Paul for a high-profile boxing match against Mike Tyson, streamed on Netflix. Monopoly’s artwork, featuring his signature “Mr. Monopoly” character holding a bag of cash, was prominently displayed on Paul’s boxing shorts, part of an outfit reported to be one of the most expensive in sports history.{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Cydney |title=Jake Paul rocks expensive boxing outfit: Everything we know |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/boxing/2024/11/15/jake-paul-rocks-expensive-boxing-outfit/76344926007/ |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
Filmography
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.alecmonopoly.com}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Monopoly, Alec}}
Category:Artists from New York (state)