Spring Break
University galleries premiers art focused on upcoming election
Mick Swasko
Issue date: 10/13/04 Section: Campus
|
"I guess I hope it gears [the audience] up for the election and the freedom our country stands for," Schuyler Maehl, a designer at the University Galleries and a senior fine arts major, said. According to Maehl, the show was completely open to submissions, no matter what political stance was taken.
"What I have seen, the show is about two-thirds anti-current establishment and one-third neutral," Barry Blinderman, director of the University Galleries, said. As he explained from his own experience of searching the internet for "pro-Bush art", not much is to be found.
Maehl said most artists are more left-leaning, which explains the majority of liberal content in the show. According to Blinderman, the exhibition had success in finding work for the show. The exhibit features artists from Germany, France, New York, Los Angeles and also students from ISU. The idea for the gallery stemmed from the success of "Ready for War," an exhibit that ran before the war in Iraq started.
"When they had the 'Ready for War' show, we didn't know the response would be so huge," Leslie Baldwin, a senior art major said. Baldwin's work, entitled "Drag Party," is on display at the show.
"Basically, [the submission shows] what's going on with the government and [its] fear of homosexuality," Baldwin said.
As she explained, the pen drawing on vellum depicts the two candidates on one side and on the other the depiction is of the Presidential hopefuls dressed as women.
"I think it will shock a lot of people seeing Bush and John Kerry as women," she said.
The painting was inspired by her belief that sexual preference has no effect on the way a person runs their job. "Everyone has their own opinion, whether it is good or bad, and everyone has the right to express that," Baldwin added.
Other works include a representation of the Kerry campaign, a bottle of catsup on top of a pair of flip-flops and a mock campaign slogan, "Nathan for Person".
"[The artist] is talking about the ambiguity of what the candidates are talking about, and how they kind of coalesce into the same thing," Maehl said. According to Blinderman, the aim of the show is simple.
"Ultimately the show is dedicated to voting," he said. "I hope people will realize that art will always influence their views."
"People can talk about politics or not talk about politics, but it will be a fun open forum," said Maehl,
The show runs through Election Day, when a party is planned.
There will also be screenings of "Fahrenheit 9/11" as well as "Bush Family Fortunes" throughout the span of the show, which ends on Nov. 12. The gallery is open to the public and admission is free.