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Art and Politics
[Editor's Note: Art has always been a powerful medium for political expression and remains so, perhaps now more than ever. As such, the Democracy Cell Project is pleased to announce a new Saturday morning feature, "Art and Politics". Each Saturday morning, we wil be presenting an item of political expression in art we have discovered or has been brought to our attention. Since we would like to present a range of items, we would also ask your participation. If you come across something that would fit here, please send it to casey@democracycellproject.net. You can submit a blurb with it or not. If we publish it, we will be sure to give you credit for submission. Thank you. ]
This week's submission is from a British graffiti artist, Banksy, who is painting murals on The Wall being built by Israel. Whether you believe that Israel has every right to build this wall for self-defense and to secure its borders, or think the wall is illegal, as some courts have opined, there is little doubt that it is stirring feelings in the region.
This is one artist's acting on his feelings. Some of his work is submitted here. For a tour of his online gallery, please click here.
Window on the West Bank
Indicating why he undertook the trip from London, where he made his name as a 'guerrilla' artist, Banksy's website says the West Bank barrier is "the ultimate activity holiday destination for graffiti writers".
Escapism
(Conversation reported on www.banksy.co.uk)
Soldier: What the f*** are you doing?
Banksy: You'll have to wait until it's finished. Soldier (to colleagues): Safety's off
Unwelcome intervention
Banksy also records on his website how an old Palestinian man said his painting made the wall look beautiful. Banksy thanked him, only to be told: 'We don't want it to be beautiful, we hate this wall. Go home.'
Maybe there is something in the drinking water in this area. Gov. Taft is not the only one who is participating in the culture of corruption. Here is a Daily Kos thread about Kentucky's governor's troubles:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/19/17444/3284
Casey,
I think the Saturday art series will be a great addition to the DCP.
Sorry to be offtopic but here is a wonderful bio about Cindy Sheehan. Please read it. Then realize each of us here are mini-Cindy's. We are like her in a way...learning, learning, learning, and then speaking out, and taking a stand and trying to bring democracy back.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/20/BAGJCEASE21.DTL
Great idea for the Saturday thread. I was just telling my daughter last night how important Art is in the history of humanity.
I'd like to put out a call for submissions of artwork that illustrates Will Pitt's contention that the corporate media are puppets, all directed by the same puppetmaster. Carl Rove? The RNC? Grover Norquist? Who is the puppet master?
Posted by: kay at August 20, 2005 11:25 AM
Kay,
I can't help wondering when people will say, "HEY, you're PUBLIC SERVANTS, not the MAFIA!"
kay,
Did you have a candlelight vigil for Cindy in your little town?
You should have seen me here in mine! (lol)
"My view -- and I may be the only one here with this view -- about supporting "progressive" candidates...
Are we defining "progressive" to mean just the Democrats? Does that mean that Republicans never have progressive view points?"
My problem with supporting Republican Progressives like Chaffee, Snowe,or Hagel is that these so called progressives end up supporting folks like Frist and DeLay for Leadership positions. Defarge you and Sparrow indicated that you voted for Republican Progressives, one who disappointed and then helped put people like DeLay, Newt and Hastert in leadership positions. Whichever party controls Congress also gets contol over committees, committee chairs and congressional agendas. It also controls and thwarts investigation of the president,Connyers, voter reform and usually allows just enough votes for people like Bolton and Roberts to sneak through to cut off filibusters. I used to think the way you guys did until I saw all branches of govt in the hands of Republicans and 100% of our local judges and elected officals as Republicans. No more. All this has pushed me back to being a yellow dog.
By the way its great to see Chuck back here again. You posed an interesting question last night. That is why Progressives always seem to turn on one another unlike our opponents? Anyone in our party that can figure that out needs to be annointed king (sorry about that reference faith1).
We really need an energy message. Folks are really ticked off about $3 gas it was headed to $3.50 for premium last week in southern ca. When our we going to say enough is enough and handing billions in tax breaks to the oil industry is no energy policy and does nothing for gas prices (incidentally Chuck the energy lobbyist killed our special session school reform bill according to the Houston Chronicle). An Ap story I read this morning says the Whitehouse is blaming Dems for stopping drilling in Anwr as the cause for rising gasoline prices. What a joke.
Why are we afraid to strongly support raising KAF standards Suz. Why not raise them 1 mpg for 10 years? Is the AFL/CIO or Michigan politicians so strongly against it and blocking that message? Its a trite phrase but raising mileage standards just marginally has little safety risk, and is a no brainer. If not now, when?
Ira,
What is KAF?
Is the AFL/CIO or Michigan politicians so strongly against it and blocking that message? Its a trite phrase but raising mileage standards just marginally has little safety risk, and is a no brainer. If not now, when?
Posted by: Ira at August 20, 2005 11:48 AM
I might be able to help on this question. Right now we have a Democrat Governor but the Congress is Republican. Things are bottled up. But I don't know what the AFL/CIO has to say. I thought that was a decision of big business.
can't type with a darn: When are we going to say enough is enough about sykrocketing gasoline prices.
The Onion in a recent headline declared that President Bush has vowed to end American dependence on foreign oil by 4920 (not quite in this decade)
and reported that scientists are researching 'whateverthanol', an alternative fuel mad by mixing random liquids.
how about using a little humor and sarcasm against Bush.
sparrow I don't think the mileage issue is determined by who your Governor or Legislature is, I think that the K Street Lobbyists for Ford/GM/Chrysler and some cowardly national politicans are fearful of stepping up to the plate on mileage standards. I am serious about this. If $3 gallon is not enough, When and at what price to inflation, the economy and jobs? I think that it the issue of raising mileage standards Right Now is a winner.
Sales of American trucks and SUV sales are plummeting and once again Japanese new car sales are running American car makers into the ground just like in the 70s when Detroit(sorry about that reference Suz) laughed at Japanese auto makers who were building smaller lighter cars while Detroit kept building huge 8 cyl gas guzzlers. We have learned nothing in 32 years.
Ira,
To respond to your comnment about small committees being run by democrats or republicans, you are right about that. BUT Debbie Stabenaw, a Democrat, voted with the repubicans on a bill I very much object to. SO what good does it have to let her run a small committee when she seems to be involved with lobbyist money more than helping the average citizen.
And I'm well aware that prestige and longevity in the senate help determine their committees and we would lose stature on that, but if she does not reflect what I believe helps the average family, then why should I support her?
(Though in this case, there were no Republicans in my state who crossed lines to side with the Democrats, so I might have to consider that vote of hers a wash in the longrun.)
Posted by: Amy at August 20, 2005 11:31 AM
Amy,
Did you see my comment to you in the previous thread?
Basically, I suggested you set up a time in the irc to chat with everyone about it.
So, if it sounds good to you name the time and we'll post it in the forum too and invite people to join you there. It can be BYOB or even bring your own chocolate.
sparrow: are you at liberty to discuss your objections to Stabenaw and have you contacted her office? She does not seem to me to be the kind of politican that would ignore your concerns even if she feels otherwise in her voting decision. Not to minimize your passion about a particular vote, but I look at only the big issues like war and peace, the economy, social security,civil rights,healthcare and the environment on my support of a particular candidate. As a lawyer and abortion rights supporter I have very reluctantly agreed to disagree with certain Dems votes on tort litigation and abortion rights understanding that I can't expect even folks I support and work for to agree with me 100% and and toe the line on every issue, otherwise I am afraid there would be no candidadte I could work for or support. But that is just me.
On topic with Arts & Politics, if you consider journalism an art. Just like in life, Gonzo knows how to have a blast in death.
Hunter S. Thompson: Ready for Blastoff on Saturday
NEW YORK Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist, appears ready for his final flight of fancy. Plans appear set for his launch into space, in a grand fireworks display at his Owl Farm near Aspen, Colo., on Saturday, financed largely by actor Johnny Depp.
His ashes returned to Colorado today via armored truck,, from Pennsyvlania, where they had been packed into canisters to be sent aloft as part of a fireworks display. Thompson fans have already started gathering, though few will make it to the ceremony.
--snip--
The journo’s ashes will be shot out of a 150-tall-monument, packed in fireworks shells. The monument, made largely in Los Angeles, is in the shape of the "gonzo fist," complete with a peyote button. Now covered with tarps, it will not be unveiled until Saturday.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001018501
***
BTW, another reason to love Johnny Depp...(as if I needed one)
what a hell of a way to go defarge but I thought this was done several months ago.
man Banksy is my idol! How do you guys do it?!!
Well, off to Hempfest to do some "education" about democracy.
Sorry its not KAFE standards sparrow its CAFE Standards which I believe stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. Its a fleet rate for each auto manufacturer not a vehicle by vehicle requirement as portrayed by the righties.
The bottom line is that better auto fuel efficiency is the key to getting pump prices down and hopefully a brave politican will recognize that before gasoline prices reach $5/gallon and wrecks our fragile economy.
If not now, when?
Politics and Art! Way to go! :-)
Some of the world's most famous art works were (in their time) political and social commentaries via images. Picasso did some political art railing against the unnecessary death in wars. The French Revolution brought out a lot of patriotic art, as did the Revolutionary War and the Civil War in America.
Speaking of which... "check your local listings" but there's going to be a PBS show about Benjamin Franklin this coming Monday night on our local PBS station. I'm going to try to catch it.
Sparrow,
I was out of town so did not have time to organize a vigil here. My husband and I lit candles and put our America stands with Cindy sign in the window. I would have loved to be with you in your little town for your vigil.
My cousin , Betty Lee, who popped up at the DCP website last week, did a great job in Virginia Beach. She carried a picture of her sailor son to the vigil. He's stationed in Maryland so he is safe. However, the picture attracted media attention. Betty Lee was interviewed by two tv stations and had her picture in the newspaper the next day. They asked her what she would say to Cindy and she said that we are praying for her and standing behind her. When she was asked what she would say to Pres. Bush, she said I would tell him to listen to the women! I was quite proud of her.
Kay,
Tell her all of us are proud of her... That is so terrific. And we'll pray for her sailor son too.
dwahzon