Comments on: Don't Grow Up to Be Shepard Fairey http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/ The Sweet Release of Reason Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20739 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:17:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20739 ...oh and here's anotherHis slogan is "Manufacturing quality DISSENT since 1989", yet he is excited to get recognition from the "establishment". A true "guerrilla artist" would not seek or want to be condoned by anyone holding a public office; for the point of guerilla artistry is to keep the "establishment" in check despite which party rule...s @ the moment. He obviously took the "BLUE" pill, like in the Matrix...and now that I just wrote this I find it ironic; the color of the pill & the color of the party are one in the same...things that make you go hmmmm …oh and here's anotherHis slogan is “Manufacturing quality DISSENT since 1989″, yet he is excited to get recognition from the “establishment”. A true “guerrilla artist” would not seek or want to be condoned by anyone holding a public office; for the point of guerilla artistry is to keep the “establishment” in check despite which party rule…s @ the moment. He obviously took the “BLUE” pill, like in the Matrix…and now that I just wrote this I find it ironic; the color of the pill & the color of the party are one in the same…things that make you go hmmmm

]]> By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20740 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:33:38 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20740 FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THEY SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & CONTROLLING THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. YES, THERE ARE BAD REPUBLICANS TOO, BUT ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT. FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THEY SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & CONTROLLING THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. YES, THERE ARE BAD REPUBLICANS TOO, BUT ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT.

]]> By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20741 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:24:40 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20741 FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & FASCIST THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT. FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & FASCIST THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT.

]]> By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20738 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:17:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20738 ...oh and here's anotherHis slogan is "Manufacturing quality DISSENT since 1989", yet he is excited to get recognition from the "establishment". A true "guerrilla artist" would not seek or want to be condoned by anyone holding a public office; for the point of guerilla artistry is to keep the "establishment" in check despite which party rule...s @ the moment. He obviously took the "BLUE" pill, like in the Matrix...and now that I just wrote this I find it ironic; the color of the pill & the color of the party are one in the same...things that make you go hmmmm …oh and here's anotherHis slogan is “Manufacturing quality DISSENT since 1989″, yet he is excited to get recognition from the “establishment”. A true “guerrilla artist” would not seek or want to be condoned by anyone holding a public office; for the point of guerilla artistry is to keep the “establishment” in check despite which party rule…s @ the moment. He obviously took the “BLUE” pill, like in the Matrix…and now that I just wrote this I find it ironic; the color of the pill & the color of the party are one in the same…things that make you go hmmmm

]]> By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20737 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:33:38 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20737 FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THEY SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & CONTROLLING THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. YES, THERE ARE BAD REPUBLICANS TOO, BUT ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT. FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THEY SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & CONTROLLING THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. YES, THERE ARE BAD REPUBLICANS TOO, BUT ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT.

]]> By: Alberta Jackson http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20736 Alberta Jackson Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:24:40 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20736 FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & FASCIST THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT. FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO SEES THE IRONY AND SHIFT IN SHEPARD FAIREY!!! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE! HE WENT FROM SATIRE TO BECOMING PART OF THE MACHINE THAT HE ONCE MOCKED. IT IS SCARY TO ME THAT BARACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS FAIL TO SEE THAT THE SUPPORT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO'S APPROACH TO POLICY MAKING IS MORE INTRUSIVE & FASCIST THAN A CONSERVATIVE ONE. REPUBLICANS GET A BAD RAP. ALL POLITICIANS HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE CORRUPT AND DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS. WHEN WILL PEOPLE THINK AGAIN? IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS WHAT IS AT STAKE HERE IF YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY. ASK YOURSELF HOW THE NAZI'S GAINED POWER. DON'T THINK IT CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? WE'RE ALREADY ON OUR WAY THERE, AND SHEPARD FAIREY'S SHIFT IS A TESTAMENT TO THAT.

]]> By: John http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20735 John Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:43:31 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20735 I came across this post when surfing for some background on a Fairey poster. I don't really want to get into how certain pieces contain more depth than others, or if Fairey has "sold out;" that's not really the point here.<br><br>Only addressing the ripoff issue - Fairey's work doesn't "blatantly rip-off" older posters. What he does is take an existing piece (this includes the feelings and subtext that go with it) and recreate it in a way that is meant to elicit a response. <br><br>So in the Soviet propaganda posters you mentioned above, Fairey's taking the visual ascetic and saying that certain things we are told equate to Big Brother in Communist Russia. We are told to "obey." But why do we?<br><br>As with all art, the meaning behind the pieces doesn't always come through to people that are unfamiliar with the source material or references made. A lot of paintings during the Impressionist period referenced Greek mythology. Of course you wouldn't know it if you hadn't studied those things. Same with Fairey's work. To the untrained eye, they seem to be "ripoffs," when there are actually quite a few levels of depth to the images, including references to propaganda posters, pop-culture icons, politics, etc. <br><br>It's not much different from Warhol pieces. Warhol's painting of Campbell's Soup can wasn't because he wanted to paint that can. It was more a commentary on commercialism, culture, and what people were willing to do/buy. A lot of art is the intent behind it.<br><br>I'd suggest reading a bit more about art history. It's really interesting to see how street art has evolved and its influences. Sure you can dismiss Fairey and his ilk, but then you sound like the old guy that said that Elvis was "too sexual" or that Rock n Roll was the devil's music. The only thing that your proving is how out of touch you are with the people of today, and the people that will control tomorrow (the younger generation). I came across this post when surfing for some background on a Fairey poster. I don't really want to get into how certain pieces contain more depth than others, or if Fairey has “sold out;” that's not really the point here.

Only addressing the ripoff issue – Fairey's work doesn't “blatantly rip-off” older posters. What he does is take an existing piece (this includes the feelings and subtext that go with it) and recreate it in a way that is meant to elicit a response.

So in the Soviet propaganda posters you mentioned above, Fairey's taking the visual ascetic and saying that certain things we are told equate to Big Brother in Communist Russia. We are told to “obey.” But why do we?

As with all art, the meaning behind the pieces doesn't always come through to people that are unfamiliar with the source material or references made. A lot of paintings during the Impressionist period referenced Greek mythology. Of course you wouldn't know it if you hadn't studied those things. Same with Fairey's work. To the untrained eye, they seem to be “ripoffs,” when there are actually quite a few levels of depth to the images, including references to propaganda posters, pop-culture icons, politics, etc.

It's not much different from Warhol pieces. Warhol's painting of Campbell's Soup can wasn't because he wanted to paint that can. It was more a commentary on commercialism, culture, and what people were willing to do/buy. A lot of art is the intent behind it.

I'd suggest reading a bit more about art history. It's really interesting to see how street art has evolved and its influences. Sure you can dismiss Fairey and his ilk, but then you sound like the old guy that said that Elvis was “too sexual” or that Rock n Roll was the devil's music. The only thing that your proving is how out of touch you are with the people of today, and the people that will control tomorrow (the younger generation).

]]> By: PBW http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20734 PBW Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:51:16 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20734 Fairey is a hypocrite. Here's an article of him going after "the little guy."<br>He has become the same thing he claims to fight against. Some art advocate.<br><br><a href="http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%253A59932" rel="nofollow">http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Cont...</a> Fairey is a hypocrite. Here's an article of him going after “the little guy.”
He has become the same thing he claims to fight against. Some art advocate.

http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Cont…

]]> By: Wax http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20733 Wax Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:12:58 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20733 I keep reading people compare him to Warhol and Litchenstein. My grandfather knew them both been clear that Shepard Fairey does not come close to them. For one, they appropriated recognizable imagery. Fairey just rips off little known works and photographs. He has stolen from a number of minority artists. If he was a more conservative bent artist people would be calling him a racist. And it is lame that he is crying fair use now because he has sent cease letters to artists like Baxter Orr who did the same with his Obey poster. I keep reading people compare him to Warhol and Litchenstein. My grandfather knew them both been clear that Shepard Fairey does not come close to them. For one, they appropriated recognizable imagery. Fairey just rips off little known works and photographs. He has stolen from a number of minority artists. If he was a more conservative bent artist people would be calling him a racist. And it is lame that he is crying fair use now because he has sent cease letters to artists like Baxter Orr who did the same with his Obey poster.

]]> By: David Sutherland http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/09/dont-grow-up-to-be-shepherd-fairey/#comment-20732 David Sutherland Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:10:47 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2742#comment-20732 Dear Will, thanks for the discussion. <br><br>I am not sure I understand all your points but there is something quite hypocritical in the anti-authoritarian, anti-captilistic "street-art" scene that I think you may be pointing out. Well, perhaps it's just my cynicism having grown weary of all the "anti's"<br><br>I created and posted this image today after watching "POPaganda: The Art & Crimes of Ron English":<br>- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shepard_Fairey_Parody_Obey_Obamaposter_with_crowns.png" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shepard_Faire...</a> but I don't know how long it will stay up because I can't figure out wikipedia's bureaucratic nightmare for posting fair-use works.<br><br>For the record, I voted for someone other than Obama this last election. But I have HOPE we'll somehow get through to another time (and will be in debt for some time.) Dear Will, thanks for the discussion.

I am not sure I understand all your points but there is something quite hypocritical in the anti-authoritarian, anti-captilistic “street-art” scene that I think you may be pointing out. Well, perhaps it's just my cynicism having grown weary of all the “anti's”

I created and posted this image today after watching “POPaganda: The Art & Crimes of Ron English”:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shepard_Faire… but I don't know how long it will stay up because I can't figure out wikipedia's bureaucratic nightmare for posting fair-use works.

For the record, I voted for someone other than Obama this last election. But I have HOPE we'll somehow get through to another time (and will be in debt for some time.)

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