State of the Union [The Fateful Embrace]

February 03, 2005

How gently and quietly he smiles
How tenderly he opens his eyes
Do you see it, friends?
Don’t you see?

high-rez video

How he shines ever more brightly
Encircled by stars
Lifting him up
Don’t you see it?

What Not to Bring to the Inauguration Parade

January 16, 2005

As a bone-chilling drizzle fell on Washington, D.C., George W. Bush was inaugurated as the 43rd president of the United States, surrounded by both his strongest supporters and his most embittered detractors.

In the crowd, Texans, many conspicuous in fur coats, cowboy hats and rhinestone pins, walked unfazed past homemade signs declaring “Shame” and “Not My President.”

Inauguration 2001
PBS.com

Attending the Inauguration Parade? Take care not to bring these contraband items.

Yes, I’ll be going this time. And, yes, if the timing’s right I will turn my back. But I will also have my trusted digicam with me looking for any photo opp.

It almost seems like yesterday. January 20, 2001: a cold and damp day. The streets of Washington were festooned with gussied-up ladies and real men in cowboy hats. Not your usual DC fare (the real men I mean).

We were looking forward to our first look at George W. but fears of a less-than-stellar reception along the parade route forced him to unceremoniously pass us by quickly and stealthily: safely ensconced in his secret serviced limo. What can we expect this time?

So many choices for those of us who ponder what the next four years will bring, now that we know what to expect. Last time 9/11, a prolonged war in the Iraq, and with both large numbers of casualties was unimaginable. I can visualize with much more clarity now. Add to the list of what not to bring to this round of festivities: high expectations.

With 12 security checkpoints, I also better leave my regular shoes with their metal shanks at home. No backpacks allowed? Luckily, my winter coat has big pockets. The last four years has taught me to be prepared.

Well, enough of that. It’s a parade! What’s a curmudgeon-of-a-blue-liberal to wear?

People Think They Know, But They Don't

December 24, 2004

This line was spoken by the mother who lost her son to the war in Iraq in Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11. The most horrifying aspect of the current political situation in America, is that a nation of voters re-elected George Bush based on a perception of reality that was manipulated and distorted by deceptive political tactics. This distortion of reality was then magnified and reinforced by the mainstream media. As a result, the voters of America thought they knew, but they didn’t… So now what?

By the same token, does art allow for the articulation of truth? Or is art too influenced by the pressure of artworld power brokers. Can art speak to the necessities of the artist only when it separates itself from the imposed obligations of artworld practice? When it does separate itself, does it cease to be art?

It now becomes the greatest necessity to convey the truth as one sees it to a world in urgent need of it.

Nothing Can Stop the Artist

December 17, 2004

Matters have exceeded all bounds… when the artist moves to ask for his rights, security agencies cannot stop him.

A Season in Hell

December 11, 2004

Can the artist save the world? Our mission is clear: We must travel to the ends of the earth to prevent world annihilation; we will deliver a message of reconciliation to oppressed peoples; we will subvert the leading platforms of the artworld to promote the role of the artist; we will blur the imaginary and the real to create what is possible, what could be… Xmas on Earth?