Glorious Excess is a subversive interpretation of the classic art movement "vanitas," a type of symbolic still life painting commonly executed by Northern European painters in Flanders and the Netherlands in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.[1] Following a central character through various facets of celebrity life, the exhibition explores the motivations behind contemporary society's fascination with fame, excess and instant gratification, from the unique perspective of an outsider on the inside of rock superstardom.

Loosely interpreted by scholars, the word "vanitas" (vain or empty) corresponds to the transience of earthly life and the futility of vanity. Common symbols include skulls (a reminder of the certainty of death); rotten fruit (decay-like aging); bubbles (brevity of life, suddenness of death); smoke, watches and hourglasses (brevity of life); and musical instruments (brevity and the ephemeral nature of life).

The expanded continuation of the exhibition, a second show entitled Glorious Excess (Dies), is scheduled for the National Museum's Miyawaki and Watanabe Galleries January 24 through March 22, 2009. Accompanying the artwork will be text about Shinoda's meteoric career and examples of his commitment to invoke change through his music including Projekt Revolution, Fort Minor and Live Earth.

"The Japanese American National Museum is pleased to feature the art of Mike Shinoda," stated Akemi Kikumra Yano, CEO of the National Museum. "Mike is a compassionate artist who is utilizing his talents and skills to have a larger impact on our society. His desire to help others is truly global in light of his contributions to Live Earth and Music For Relief, among other efforts. We celebrate his creativity and contributions with this unique exhibition."