California Raisin

Description:

The California Raisins are sculpted clay figures used as advertising and merchandising characters by the California Raisin Advisory Board. The figures were first developed by Will Vinton Productions in 1986 based on caricatures of African American rhythm-and-blues groups. The California Raisins are often accompanied by a soundtrack of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” originally popularized by singer Marvin Gaye. The Raisins released numerous studio albums in the 1980s, starred in a cartoon series, and were nominated for an Emmy for their 1988 “Meet the Raisins” mockumentary. These figures were used in the Claymation advertisements from 1986 through 1991.

Date Made: 1986 - 1991

Producer: Will Vinton ProductionsUser: California Raisins Advisory BoardMaker: Will Vinton Productions

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Oregon, Portland

Subject: Motion PicturesAnimationConsumerismFood CultureMusicBlacksAfrican American

Subject:

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Entertainment, Popular Entertainment, Advertising, American Enterprise

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Will Vinton Productions

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1991.3182.01Catalog Number: 1991.3182.01Nonaccession Number: 1991.3182

Object Name: figure, animation

Physical Description: plastic (overall material)lead (overall material)wood (overall material)clay, plasticene (overall material)Measurements: overall: 26 cm x 12 cm x 8 cm; 10 1/4 in x 4 23/32 in x 3 5/32 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-18a7-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1170667

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