Nautilus

How Much Do You Remember the Old-Fashioned Way, Sans Google?

It began like so many creative endeavors—with a barstool discussion. “Who would be your television dad?” New York artist Amanda Tiller mused. A friend chose Cliff Huxtable, Bill Cosby’s alter ego on The Cosby Show.

Later, Tiller thought a lot about Cosby and his famously be-sweatered character: We all know Cliff, a beloved father, doctor, husband, jazz enthusiast, and Hillman College graduate. We also know Cliff’s wife, Claire, and the study habits, clothing preferences, and attitudes of their adorable children. We even know the kids’ grandparents.

What fascinates Tiller about Cosby and series: embroidered family trees like her grandmother used to make, but with actors and their fictional characters entwined together.

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