Art of Politics ["Obey Obama" - Obama's official poster-maker loves Stalin, Mao, etc.]

New York Times Magazine ^ | April 13, 2008 | Rob Walker

[Dajjal]

"Does pro-Obama creativity say more about the candidate or his fans?"

Well, the New York Times asked the question, so it must be worthy to print and all that.

Does the fact that Obama's official poster-maker loves Stalin and Mao say something about Obama, or just Obama's fans?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/13/magazine/13wwln-consumed-t.html

New York Times Magazine (p.27)
April 13, 2008

The Art Of Politics
Does pro-Obama creativity say more about the candidate or his fans?

by Rob Walker

Obama art

Whether or not Barack Obama would make a good president, it’s clear that he makes an excellent muse. It’s hard to think of a political candidate in recent memory who has, in real time, inspired so much creativity, exercised free of charge and for the campaign’s benefit. Perhaps this suggests something about Obama — or maybe it suggests something about his supporters.

... One of the most prominent is ... the Los Angeles artist Shepard Fairey in January.... Fairey made a brief statement ... noting his “great conviction that Barack Obama should be the next President.” Poster sales, he added, would underwrite “a large statewide poster campaign.”

In addition to popping up on many streets, the image later made its way onto a T-shirt, created in collaboration with the San Francisco street-wear brand Upper Playground — and apparently onto the radar of the Obama campaign. The candidate himself sent a thank-you note, and his campaign had Fairey create a new poster that became the inaugural offering in an “Artists for Obama” section of the barackobama.com online store. Fairey told Creativity Online that while he has been politically active, there’s something new in the enthusiasm he now professes to feel. “I just thought it was time to stick my neck out,” he said....

[PGalt]

Thanks for the post/ping(s). Thanks for the link. Great thread. Thanks to all contributors.

Content of character(s) BUMP!

[bruinbirdman]

" it’s also not impossible to view Fairey’s work as right-wing in essence, since it largely ransacks leftist history and imagery while the artist laughs all the way to the bank."

My first impression.

yitbos

[Enchante]

"not impossible to view Fairey’s work as right-wing in essence"

leftie-speak for "here's a wild-ass fabrication that is about as far out there as we can make it, but it sure would be helpful if you suckers would buy into it"

[PhilDragoo]

[bruinbirdman]

"it largely ransacks leftist history and imagery "

The Fairy is doing Hussein no favors, a plus for Osama's opposition.

yitbos

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks TSoA.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Dajjal!

[Dajjal]

" it’s also not impossible to view Fairey’s work as right-wing in essence, since it largely ransacks leftist history and imagery while the artist laughs all the way to the bank."

My first impression.

Do you find this one "right-wing in essence"?

[21twelve]

The first time I saw that first poster (”Change” with the different colors) was on FR and I thought for sure it was some freeper’s great artwork showing how Obama is a Communist by using that old-style commie imagery. Seriously - it wasn’t until I saw it in the paper or a magazine that it was real. The other thought that came to mind was it looked like a poster from “1984”. I see he did some of the revised artwork for its re-release. (Or at least plagerized some artwork for the release).

[Enchante]

Yes, that captures the ‘essence’ of every right-winger I know! /s

These people are such complete clowns, yet Obama has chosen to surround himself with some of the most delusional leftards around. I want to believe that this info will finally get traction in the media before November, but the MSM is so dishonest and propagandistic for Obambi that they will do all they can to ignore, downplay, and/or trivialize the real nature of Obama and his Merry Band of Weatherfreaks.

[bruinbirdman]

"Do you find this one "right-wing in essence"?"

"it largely ransacks leftist history and imagery while the artist laughs"

yitbos

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Uncle Sam! What an interesting nose you have!

"The better to show you how the Jooos are running everything, my dear!"

[EBH]

I was saying this months ago when he announced he was a ‘progressive pragmatist,’ that is exactly what Mussolini called himself. Even if this man, Obama, doesn't get the nomination/presidency we will have to reckon with him for years to come. He is not the second coming of Mondale. He is truly dangerous to our country, our Constitution, and our freedoms.

[reagan_fanatic]

LOL!! The Hillary one is priceless!!

[Dante3]

bttt

[Ilya Mourometz]

These are great. I’ve seen the one on the left; where can I find larger versions of these—I’d like to show them to a couple friends.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"Hitting upon Soviet aesthetics, Fairey became a big hit with those who wax nostalgic for the return of the USSR."

Maybe that explains the mind control and messiah cult appeal of his campaign.

"Obama will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual." What kind of nutjob would say something like that or believe it?

[yoe]

The art speaks for the proletariat, the myth of the “worker” happily all starving and living in crowded flats spouting poetry etc. together is the reminder and message. Less clear is Obama’s signature……..any of you want to take a swing at deciphering Obama’s signature?

[pissant]

Great find.

[philled]

Here's an earlier thread with some examples of how the artist just ripped off earlier propagandists.