Virginia Postrel was right. Now that Obama’s actually going to be the President, this stuff is totally creepy, and I’m against it!
And I bet Shepard Fairey’s not even getting a dime from Raytheon.
Will Wilkinson
The Sweet Release of Reason
Virginia Postrel was right. Now that Obama’s actually going to be the President, this stuff is totally creepy, and I’m against it!
And I bet Shepard Fairey’s not even getting a dime from Raytheon.
His face is relevant because he's a black president. It's good you and others are warning against cultishness, but I suspect Americans will continue the romance for a good while longer, for the same reason you sanctioned the one night of romance. The symbolism, and what it says about the entire history of America, is too long coming, too historically weighty. Americans are using this symbolism as a lever to change their view of their own country. I think it may be the right thing to do. We have to weigh your valid concerns about cultishness and even fascism, against people's centuries of despair of ever achieving racial reconciliation. Of course Barack is not our only hope for this, not even close. But as we both agree, the symbolism is important, and effectual.
Of course progressives will also try to exploit the symbolism to achieve particular progressive policy goals. We are on risky ground as a nation here. And I think the poster looks ridiculous. But my sense is that Americans are too ironic to let this phenomenon swallow up our rationality.
Because we are what we are as a Republic, this image will be revered by many and ridiculed by many others. I am sure that there will be 'modifications' released all over the internet lampooning the creepiness of it all. The unwholesome adulation will not go without it's equally unwholesome comedic response.
My proposal to counter this ridiculousness:
Someone make the same exact poster. Same colors, layout, etc. Only in place of Obama, a shining bottle of BEER. And below the proud, gleaming longneck, in place of the all too familiar “HOPE” … “HOPS”.
We gradually start replacing the Obama posters with our own proclamations of cold, foamy, shit-faced, apolitical good-timery.
I rest my case (of beer?)
At the very least, the wine needs to be bottled for awhile.
Excellent.
It's possible that this poster is ironic. The OBEY logo at bottom left suggests that to me.
Well, that would make it doubleironic, since the OBEY line was ironic propaganda to start with but has become what it was satirizing. If it turns out Fairey is actually punking everyone to make a point about the credulity and manipulability of the masses, I will bow before him. But he has been reeking of pathetic sincerity.
Word. Alas, I'm not all that great with Photoshop. Any takers here? This just begs for parody.
I guess as a graphic design issue, it's just not quite as cool as the old Soviet ones – this is just a tad busy.
Let folks enjoy the moment. We should celebrate but not blindly follow once the new administration is in full swing.
I like it.
But oh, no, those young people getting exciting about being involving in politics — horrors!
I think you're correct here. Fairey sold out long ago and this reeks of sincerity. I much prefer banksy and espo in all things graffiti.
I think you're correct here. Fairey sold out long ago and this reeks of sincerity. I much prefer banksy and espo in all things graffiti.