Archive for the 'Politics' Category
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
Fairey / Obama Rift
Image: obeygiant.com
Shepard Fairey has publicly spoken out against President-elect, Barack Obama’s, decision to have Evangelical minister, Rick Warren, deliver the invocation during Obama’s inaugural address. In a message posted to his popular OBEYGIANT website earlier this week, Fairey said, “Rick Warren is against gay marriage and reproductive rights, and he does not believe in evolution (maybe he offers himself as proof of lack of evolution). I understand that Obama is trying to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals, but this move is symbolically a slap in the face to many people. Warren is not a uniter, but a divider… he is intolerant in many of his views. I still think Obama is the best choice for president, but I can’t condone Warren’s involvement in Obama’s inauguration, no matter how insignificant it is.”
In response, Fairey will be re-directing a portion of funds from his upcoming Obama inauguration poster to the movement to overturn Prop 8. Rather than pulling the porject all together, Fairey said putting money “into a cause I care about is actually more constructive. Plus, I wouldn’t want withdrawing the image to come across as a blanket boycott of Obama.”
Friday, November 28th, 2008
Bobby Hutton Benefit Featuring McGee, Swoon + more
The Bobby Hutton Memorial Benefit art exhibit opens tomorrow, Nov. 29, at the Luggage Store in San Francisco. Hutton was amongst the earliest members of the Black Panther Party, who lost his life at the age of 16 during a 1968 confrontation with police. Proceeds from the show (not auction) will help fund the completion of a memorial sculpture which will be placed in Oakland California’s (the birthplace of the Panthers) De Fremery Park.
The exhibit includes works for sale by Barry McGee, Swoon, Rigo 23, Andrew Schoultz, Date Farmers, Monica Canilao, and many others. The Luggage Store opening will be followed by a party at On Six Gallery, and will feature a performance by Digital Underground.
Here’s a brief biography of Hutton, courtesy of Babylon Falling:
For those of you who might be familiar with the name but not the story, Lil’ Bobby Hutton was the first member of the Black Panther Party and was also the first Party member murdered by the police. Having joined the Panthers as a 15 year old, by the time of his death in 1968 (just two weeks shy of turning 17) Lil’ Bobby was the Treasurer of a rapidly growing organization. Although the circumstances leading up to the confrontation that resulted in his death are the subject of dispute, there is no confusion over the fact that members of the Oakland and Emeryville Police Departments gunned down (12 shots, the first to the head at point blank range) an unarmed black teenager who had surrendered and was in their custody. His murder was the catalyst that increased the urgency and the intensity of the implementation of the Black Panther Party platform.
Bobby Hutton Memorial Benefit
organized by Sham Saenz
Nov. 29
Art Show and Sale
8 - 10 pm
Luggage Store
1007 Market St. (at 6th)
After Party
10pm - 2 am
On Six Gallery
60 6th St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Friday, November 7th, 2008
Shepard Fairey Obama Victory Print
As anticipated, here’s one more Obama print, this time celebrating the victory Shepard Fairey has championed through his prolific campaign art. Yes We Did is an offset print measuring 24 x 36, and has been produced in an edition of 5000, with the first 1000 signed by Fairey. The print will be available via MoveOn.org, Saturday, Nov. 8, at 12:30 EST. $500 will get you the more limited signed version, and a mere $80 the larger unsigned edition of 4000. For those still in a festive mood after Tuesday’s results, what better way to celebrate your new president than with the below bottle of wine designed by Fairey for Kenwood Vineyards.
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Yes We Can.
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Participatory Democracy
The Art Collectors catches a first time voter at the polls on Tuesday…
Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
One Last Shepard Fairey Election Print
Here’s one last Shepard Fairey election 08′ poster. After all the officially sanctioned art Fairey has done for the Obama camp, let’s hope next week’s drop is a victory print…
While you’re at it, check out The World’s Best Ever for a quick recap of all Fairey’s Obama campaign art.
Saturday, September 6th, 2008
Power and Currency at Factory Fresh
The inclement weather that caused the postponement of the Art Parade could not deter The Art Collectors from venturing out to Bushwick today to check out Power and Currency, which opened last night at Factory Fresh. The show, curated by collector and “Neo Grafitti” art consultant Natlie Kates, includes a diverse selection of works that examine the different meanings of the two concepts, by such notable artists as Aiko, D*Face, Tom Fruin, Gaia and Steve Powers.
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
Free Tibet Graffiti Artists Detained in Beijing
Artist James Powderly, a founding member of Graffiti Research Lab, is currently being detained in China for an attempted protest during the Olymics against Chinese occupation of Tibet. Powdery planned on using his invention, the Green Lantern, a flashlight-sized laser capable of projecting beams as far as 30 feet, to project the words “Free Tibet” on an undisclosed building near Tiananmen Square. Five other Americans were also arrested for successfully illuminating a banner made out of “throwies” - self-powered, adhesive L.E.D lights also developed by GRL. The demonstration was part of Students for a Free Tibet’s ongoing 2008 campaign and protest against the Olympics.
New York Times article here
The Green Lantern projects a Graffiti Research Lab tag on the Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo via GRL)