Those who grew up reading Charles M. Schulz’ Peanuts comic strips definitely have a soft spot for a certain beagle who likes sleeping on the roof of his red doghouse.
Snoopy is known not just for that quirk, but also for his flights of fancy and penchant for stories, transforming his doghouse into a war plane as the Red Baron, or as a writing desk, while he bangs out stories on his typewriter. (How he managed to type using his paws remains a mystery.)
While Schulz’s retirement and death meant that the gang would have no more new stories, Peanuts and Snoopy have lived on and endured. The gang is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.
The folks at SM are also huge fans, and paid tribute to the lovable beagle by turning Snoopy and his doghouse into a huge canvas for artists.
Inspired by the Peanuts “Snoopy Art & Life Exhibition” at Harbour City in Hong Kong, SM collaborated with Art+ Magazine and Galerie Joaquin to stage “Peanuts Artland.” They built six-foot replicas of Snoopy resting on his doghouse, and let the artists go wild.
The exhibit features artists from different industries—fashion designer Rajo Laurel, sculptor Toym Imao, fashion photographer BJ Pascual, street artist Dee Jae Pa’este, sculptor Leeroy New, sisters Olivia and Alexandra d’Aboville, painter Dominic Rubio and Presidential Medal of Merit awardee Juvenal Sansó.
Other participants include American pop artist Ron English, Thai superstar Mario Maurer and Indonesian artist Hahan, who did an art demonstration during the launch, with race car driver/artist Gaby de la Merced.
Snoopy and his doghouse were interesting, as seen through the eyes of different artists.
Pascual turned the interior into a mini photo studio, and Imao converted the doghouse into a massive sorbetero cart, infusing Filipino whimsy into the design.
The Red Baron would’ve loved Leeroy New’s peppering the doghouse with neon acrylic wings—it would’ve helped the fighter pilot fly faster. Rajo Laurel was inspired by Matisse and splashed color all over the doghouse.
The doghouses are all for sale. Proceeds will go to the SM Foundation’s school-building program.
The exhibit opened at SM Megamall, and will go around different SM malls. Follow @smsupermalls to find out where Snoopy will pop up next.
