Next week, the House of Representative will vote on articles of impeachment for President Donald J. Trump. In my art practice, I’m fascinated by alternative realities, disorientation, and flight. The goal is to identify how patterns of influence impact social behavior, history, and truth. Will leaders follow facts and pick country over party?
From The New York Times: “Still, the echoes of history were hard to miss. The charges against Mr. Trump paralleled some of the articles drawn up against Nixon. And Thursday’s vote fell almost exactly 21 years after the Judiciary panel voted to recommend the impeachment of Mr. Clinton, on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power.”
Current events inspired my artwork PRESIDENT ABOVE LAW. Description: My art practice investigates symbols of influence and power that impact perception. President Donald J. Trump disregards congressional subpoenas, obstructs justice, and encourages foreign election interference for personal gain. Fifty custom balloons mimic the signature MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN hats totally the number of U.S. states. The artworks become bloated reminders that despite articles of impeachment, Trump will be protected by a Senate wall of sycophants. Democracy will deflate if let unchecked.
Martin Luther King Jr.: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
On February 20th from 3-5pm, PRESIDENT ABOVE LAW will be featured during an artist talk for the Right Here, Right Now exhibition at the Richmond Art Center. By that date, the Senate will have finished its trial and vote. In addition, the spectacle of candidates will be gearing up for the presidential election. A new narrative will be dominating your local Twitter feed.
The balloons will be given away to visitors. Eventually, the artworks will collapse similar to political will. Defending democracy will rely on citizen participation. No one should be above the law!
Links:
http://richmondartcenter.org/event/artist-talk-right-here-right-now-richmond/
https://www.biography.com/news/martin-luther-king-famous-quotes
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