California Raisin

California Raisin

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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.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
figure, animation
date made
1986 - 1991
user
California Raisins Advisory Board
producer
Will Vinton Productions
maker
Will Vinton Productions
place made
United States: Oregon, Portland
Physical Description
clay, plasticene (overall material)
lead (overall material)
wood (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 19.5 cm x 15 cm x 8 cm; 7 11/16 in x 5 29/32 in x 3 5/32 in
ID Number
1991.3182.02
catalog number
1991.3182.02
nonaccession number
1991.3182
Credit Line
Will Vinton Productions
subject
Motion Pictures
Animation
Consumerism
Food Culture
Music
Blacks
African American
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Popular Entertainment
Advertising
American Enterprise
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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