Comments on: Political Portraits http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/ The IMA blog is a space to discuss everything related to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:32:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: shoffs http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-26900 shoffs Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:54:03 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-26900 Presidential campaigns always produce a new influx of artwork but the surge of art that has come from this campaign and election has surpassed any that I can recall in recent history. Sure there are those iconic Fairey posters that no one will ever forget but more than that, there are emotional and deeply profound works of art created by artists that we have never heard of that we may never hear from again. There are pieces that we haven't seen yet and may never see. I have seen incredibly deep and touching artworks that capture Obama and everything he stands for and I have seen the most memorable and popular <a href="http://www.obamawalldecor.com" rel="nofollow">Obama posters</a> that the rest of the world has seen. I love them all. Presidential campaigns always produce a new influx of artwork but the surge of art that has come from this campaign and election has surpassed any that I can recall in recent history. Sure there are those iconic Fairey posters that no one will ever forget but more than that, there are emotional and deeply profound works of art created by artists that we have never heard of that we may never hear from again. There are pieces that we haven’t seen yet and may never see. I have seen incredibly deep and touching artworks that capture Obama and everything he stands for and I have seen the most memorable and popular Obama posters that the rest of the world has seen. I love them all.

]]> By: Landmark Celebration | Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-24368 Landmark Celebration | Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:40:13 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-24368 [...] a poster of Barack Obama by artist Shepard Fairey for its permanent collection. You can read my May 2008 post about Fairey for more on political [...] [...] a poster of Barack Obama by artist Shepard Fairey for its permanent collection. You can read my May 2008 post about Fairey for more on political [...]

]]> By: Samuel Amie http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-11843 Samuel Amie Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:02:56 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-11843 Lastly, I think the images in all the campaign art posters say more about how the artists see their candidates than about how the candidate see themselves. And thusly they have conjured an "ideal" visual representation of that heroine/hero. For that reason all these images will endure. Lastly, I think the images in all the campaign art posters say more about how the artists see their candidates than about how the candidate see themselves. And thusly they have conjured an “ideal” visual representation of that heroine/hero. For that reason all these images will endure.

]]> By: Samuel Amie http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-11840 Samuel Amie Sun, 26 Oct 2008 05:43:30 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-11840 I like Shepard's Change/Hope, but the effect can be done just by clicking the posterization button on Photoshop. On the other hand Tony Puryear's "Hillary" is fantastic. And like Hillary, there more to this poster than meets the eye. He uses the classic sunrise, btw used for decades in Americana Heartland imagery (ala a peach crate), to act as a backdrop for one of history's most iconic figures. It's subtle but the effect gives her an old school Madonna-like glow. Maybe because she's a woman it lends itself to the religious aura rays of light given by artists for centuries to saints. The image of Hillary was shot by rocker Bryan Adams ("Have you Ever Really Loved A Woman?"). It was taken for a breast cancer book called "American Woman." Hillary's "man to the moon" goal for 08' was to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. Mostly, I love that Puryear uses the candidates green initiatives and policies: union workers, wind power and vegetable dyes, to make it. The final composition is a layered commentary on a historic subject. Everything about the poster has meaning...And it's pretty. I like Shepard’s Change/Hope, but the effect can be done just by clicking the posterization button on Photoshop. On the other hand Tony Puryear’s “Hillary” is fantastic. And like Hillary, there more to this poster than meets the eye. He uses the classic sunrise, btw used for decades in Americana Heartland imagery (ala a peach crate), to act as a backdrop for one of history’s most iconic figures. It’s subtle but the effect gives her an old school Madonna-like glow. Maybe because she’s a woman it lends itself to the religious aura rays of light given by artists for centuries to saints. The image of Hillary was shot by rocker Bryan Adams (“Have you Ever Really Loved A Woman?”). It was taken for a breast cancer book called “American Woman.” Hillary’s “man to the moon” goal for 08′ was to eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime. Mostly, I love that Puryear uses the candidates green initiatives and policies: union workers, wind power and vegetable dyes, to make it. The final composition is a layered commentary on a historic subject. Everything about the poster has meaning…And it’s pretty.

]]> By: emit flesti http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2980 emit flesti Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:39:16 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2980 they have already started to make these a little more acurate http://www.dalidiction.com/HRC-20.jpg they have already started to make these a little more acurate

http://www.dalidiction.com/HRC-20.jpg

]]> By: Bob http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2951 Bob Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:59:52 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2951 Hillary as Chairman Mao? ROTFLMAO! Give the Republicans even more ammunition, why don't you? Hillary as Chairman Mao? ROTFLMAO! Give the Republicans even more ammunition, why don’t you?

]]> By: Obama Poster http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2751 Obama Poster Sun, 25 May 2008 01:30:45 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2751 Obama's posters I think are the most catchy and iconic of any presidential campaigner's propaganda. The fact that it is so well designed and ties in with his website, logo, etc. shows what a well run campaign he has. Obama’s posters I think are the most catchy and iconic of any presidential campaigner’s propaganda. The fact that it is so well designed and ties in with his website, logo, etc. shows what a well run campaign he has.

]]> By: inFidel Cashflo http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2703 inFidel Cashflo Fri, 23 May 2008 18:29:13 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2703 i think the Che reference is on point. Fairey is saying Obama is more than simply a change agent. The thought of Barack Obama as President of OUR country is so revolutionary, that it will scare the status quo. and that might be exactly what we need in our current state in the international scene. It's a way to lead by example, learn from our own mistakes. the reason that Che Guevara is such an iconic figure is that he was fighting the oppression of his people despite incredible odds. If you overlook the guerrilla warfare tactics, that is. While Barack Obama is aiming for a much broader audience, the imagery works on multiple levels. just glad McCain didn't do anything w/ a guy known for "OBEY" i think the Che reference is on point. Fairey is saying Obama is more than simply a change agent. The thought of Barack Obama as President of OUR country is so revolutionary, that it will scare the status quo. and that might be exactly what we need in our current state in the international scene. It’s a way to lead by example, learn from our own mistakes. the reason that Che Guevara is such an iconic figure is that he was fighting the oppression of his people despite incredible odds. If you overlook the guerrilla warfare tactics, that is. While Barack Obama is aiming for a much broader audience, the imagery works on multiple levels. just glad McCain didn’t do anything w/ a guy known for “OBEY”

]]> By: Eric B. http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2699 Eric B. Fri, 23 May 2008 17:50:27 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2699 As a former Presidential candidate, I understand the importance of the art/commerce aspect of a successful campaign. You want to make sure that you create a memorable image, one that can stand the test of time. We tried to relay quite a bit of information about what my campaign stood for, yet in a subtle way. For example, I decided to include my running mate (he's the one that nominated me for President) in the campaign art, as a way to show party unity. We were more than just politicians running for elected office; we were the leaders of a movement in what we perceived as somewhat of a "golden age" (hence, the gold font). The track suits were stylish, yet substantive. Our business acumen was portrayed by the images of the almighty dollar (2008: it ain't what it used to be :^{( ). Sure, we were wealthy, but it was a direct result of our hard work (blood red font). Our opponents attacked us for what they saw as a "materialistic" image. We scoffed at that thought! We were proud of the fruits of our labor, and the jewelery represented that. It says, "If you want it, you can have it." It shows our patriotism (eagle on medallion). Additionally, the gold represents the motherland, and out willingness to exploit it for the better of American greed (it WAS the '80s, after all). Our campaign manager, Marley Marl, insisted that we looked confident, yet dead serious. All in all, I think he did a great job. When we got back the proofs, he made us, made us clap to this. Unfortunately, the campaign ultimately failed, as we ran for the Oval Office in 1986. Heads weren't ready. In case you missed it, here is our Political Portrait: http://991.com/newgallery/Eric-B--Rakim-Paid-In-Full-289451.jpg PEACE, Eric B. For President 1986 As a former Presidential candidate, I understand the importance of the art/commerce aspect of a successful campaign. You want to make sure that you create a memorable image, one that can stand the test of time. We tried to relay quite a bit of information about what my campaign stood for, yet in a subtle way. For example, I decided to include my running mate (he’s the one that nominated me for President) in the campaign art, as a way to show party unity. We were more than just politicians running for elected office; we were the leaders of a movement in what we perceived as somewhat of a “golden age” (hence, the gold font). The track suits were stylish, yet substantive. Our business acumen was portrayed by the images of the almighty dollar (2008: it ain’t what it used to be :^{( ). Sure, we were wealthy, but it was a direct result of our hard work (blood red font). Our opponents attacked us for what they saw as a “materialistic” image. We scoffed at that thought! We were proud of the fruits of our labor, and the jewelery represented that. It says, “If you want it, you can have it.” It shows our patriotism (eagle on medallion). Additionally, the gold represents the motherland, and out willingness to exploit it for the better of American greed (it WAS the ’80s, after all). Our campaign manager, Marley Marl, insisted that we looked confident, yet dead serious. All in all, I think he did a great job. When we got back the proofs, he made us, made us clap to this.
Unfortunately, the campaign ultimately failed, as we ran for the Oval Office in 1986. Heads weren’t ready.

In case you missed it, here is our Political Portrait:

http://991.com/newgallery/Eric-B–Rakim-Paid-In-Full-289451.jpg

PEACE,

Eric B. For President 1986

]]> By: Tara http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/comment-page-1/#comment-2467 Tara Fri, 16 May 2008 17:36:20 +0000 http://www.imamuseum.org/blog/2008/05/13/political-portraits/#comment-2467 Noelle, thanks for the Puryear background. I've been wondering who? and why? and it was really buggin' me! Between the Hillary and Obama poster, I'd say the difference is that Fairey very intentionally (and skillfully) sampled an historical style; Puryear seems to have subconciously sampled one from his memory, producing comical results. The Chairman is dead. Long live the Chairman! Noelle, thanks for the Puryear background. I’ve been wondering who? and why? and it was really buggin’ me! Between the Hillary and Obama poster, I’d say the difference is that Fairey very intentionally (and skillfully) sampled an historical style; Puryear seems to have subconciously sampled one from his memory, producing comical results.

The Chairman is dead. Long live the Chairman!

]]>