Machine Politick
Machine Politick
Art That's Not Liberal
Title: Effigy #1984
Completed: 2004
Medium: Pencil and mixed media.
Price: $2700
Dimensions: 37w x 18h x 1d
Notes: Professionally framed with conservation glass.
Description:
This illustration is a commentary on the overwhelming hatred of George Bush that seems to infect most of the liberal population. Granted, all politicians have opposition, but I can't remember hearing some many people wishing someone dead as there are for Bush. I'm not his biggest fan by far, but we could and have done worse.
The level of hatred and overwhelming anger exhibited by these people reminded me of the Two Minutes Hate in George Orwell's novel 1984, so I set to work making a visual representation of the phenomenon. I have personally had conversations with people who broke down and screamed "Bush is a fascist" when the discussion didn't go their way. It seems to be a mania, or dementia, or compulsion to call a person a Nazi when you can no longer carry on a rational conversation. I guess the point I'm making is, it's a little scary when people get so angry they can't be rational anymore.
Accordingly, I used excerpts from the book that illustrate the point I'm trying to make. Each excerpt is accompanied with a graphic image that is a visual representation of the thought expressed in the novel. they're arranged in a gritty, sequential art style that is supposed to make you feel a little edgy- the way those people make me feel when they start raving. I'll be the first to say I'm guilty of the same behavior, but I like to spread it around a little. I tend to think all the politicians are the problem, and our government could stand a little less of itself.
A great deal of thought went into this piece and there was much research into the visual elements as well as the literary. The celebrity quotes are from a variety of sources and I didn't document them as well as I normally would, but they're out there if you look hard enough. The rest of the quotes and statistics are referenced below.
Links:
The Origin of the Double Standard.
Michael Tremoglie www.mensnewsdaily.com
Hate speech from the Left.
Jeff Jacoby December 29, 2003 www.townhall.com
Like, I'm psychologically disturbed.
Cal Thomas July 29, 2003 www.townhall.com
1984, George Orwell;
Excerpts from Chapter 5 www.online-literature.com
The American Psychological Association Psychological Bulletin Study on Conservative Behavior www.wam.umd.edu/~hannahk/bulletin.pdf
CONTACT: frances@machinepolitick.com
All images and political rants on this page are the property of Machine Politick and are not to be used or reproduced in any way without permission from frances@machinepolitick.com. All images are copyrighted creations of the artist behind Machine Politick unless otherwise noted and are not to be used or reproduced in any way without permission from frances@machinepolitick.com. Copyright 2006.