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Mr. Peanut collection

Artists/Creators
Vincent Trasov (Creator)
John Mitchell (Creator)
ID #
26
Date
[197-]
Level of Description
Fonds / Collection

Scope & Content

Between 1969 and 1974 the artist Vincent Trasov (b. 1947) appropriated the persona (and appearance) of the iconic advertising mascot, Mr. Peanut. As Mr. Peanut, Trasov, with the assistance of artist John Mitchell, orchestrated a performance art event running for mayor in the Vancouver mayoralty campaign of 1974. During the twenty day race, Mr. Peanut appeared at candidates meetings and similar events with the other mayoral hopefuls. During these events, Mitchell spoke for Mr. Peanut who remained silent, but managed to shake up the usually staid election process and also brought increased media attention to the city. Mr. Peanut ran on a platform of P for performance, E for elegance, A for Art, N for nonsense, U for uniqueness, and T for talent and served as a symbol for artists and their aspirations. Mr. Peanut lost the race, but won 3.4% of the vote. After 1974, Trasov retired the Mr. Peanut costume, but Mr. Peanut imagery and the "Mr. Peanut for Mayor" campaign continued to inform his artistic practice. The collection contains materials generated by Vincent Trasov relating to the Mr. Peanut character in general and to the 1974 mayoralty campaign, and materials generated by others relating to the same subject. The collection contains predominantly graphic materials in the form of ephemera, as well as objects such as ceramic peanuts and a commemorative plate.

Physical Description

Physical Extent
5.5 cm of graphic material and objects
Material Type
Graphic material, Object

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Descriptions are works in progress and may be updated as new descriptive practices, research and information emerge. To help improve this record, please contact us.

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