Obey Giant Headlines

Immigration Reform Now!

UPDATE: PRINTS ON SALE NOW AT CIMARRONES.ORG!!!

I am an immigrant. My ancestors left England and Scotland to come to this land to create a better life for themselves and their families. America is a land of immigrants. Ironically, the people’s who this land was inhabited by before “Americans” were Native Americans North and South American descent. I bring up this history not to stir up controversy or animosity, but to simply point out the complexity of who is entitled to live here. Something that is not complex and should not be controversial is the right of all humans to be treated like humans. People coming to America for the same reasons our ancestors did deserve human rights. The United States was created by immigrants and now our country needs immigration reform. I collaborated on this project with my co-worker Ernesto Yerena who shot the photos and helped with the graphics. Zack De La Rocha and Producciones Cimarron  provided input and support. All the proceeds from these posters go to creating materials for the May Day marches and donations for immigration reform organizations. Thanks for supporting human rights!
-Shepard

MESSAGE FROM ZACK DE LA ROCHA:       

There is nothing criminal about a families search for dignified work and housing. There is nothing illegal about the need to alleviate hunger and find peace and security for people in their communities, or find adequate health care.  In my mind these are rights that are universal, transnational, and non negotiable. Displaced by corporate globalization and war, the more than 12 million undocumented workers within the U.S. in search of those rights are not only denied the fruits of their labor,  but are beaten away from the tree of enormous wealth  and services that their sweat has watered for generations.

No amount of hate filled rhetoric,  unlawful racist detentions, or tear gas can mask these essential truths that were made so clear by the millions workers themselves. People whose courage in the face of repression, and the potential loss of jobs , continue to pour out from the shadows and into the streets. Not only to heroically defend their rights and dignity, but have also revitalized the historical relevance of May Day, in which migrant workers of years past fought and died for the rights of all workers as they helped established the eight hour work day. MORE FROM ZACK AFTER THE JUMP…

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PRINT RELEASE & FREE DOWNLOADS CLICK HERE or VISIT PRODUCCIONES CIMARRON at www.CIMARRONES.org

Stay tuned for updates to find these posters at the MAY DAY marches in Los Angeles.  

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SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS x SAM FLORES

EGO, ADDICTION, & OTHER BEDTIME STORIES
NEW WORKS BY SAM FLORES 

OPENING RECEPTION: 
SATURDAY, MAY 2ND, 8-11PM 

EXHIBITION DATES: 
MAY 2ND – MAY 30TH, 2009
 
In his show Ego, Addiction, and Other Bedtime Stories, Sam Flores tackles what is perhaps one of the most pervasive themes in human existence: the struggle between light and dark.  Through color and contrast, Flores addresses those parts of our selves that seek to hide behind the protective mask of acceptance while our inner demons claw at us from the inside.  “There is a constant war being waged in the fight for balance,” says Flores, “to determine which side of us, good or bad, will win out in any given moment.”  Yet despite the eternal conflict, Flores never hesitates to remind us of the potential for beauty to shine through – even in our darkest hours.

ALSO CHECK OUT SOME NEW PRINTS IN THE SUBLIMINAL STORE BY SKULLPHONE and JOHN VAN HAMERSVELD

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Rise And The Fall Fanzine Interview/Cover

I met Craig from THE RISE AND THE FALL at an Ian MacKaye spoken word gig. Craig used to work in the art department for SST Records, and now does the awesome zine THE RISE AND THE FALL(of the harbor area). I grew up in the 80’s with skate and punk zines that were xeroxed and stapled and it is great to see that culture and spirit carried on. Craig asked me if I’d do an interview and cover for THE RISE AND THE FALL and I was really happy to be able to be part of a zine that embodies the DIY energy that inspired me. Read the interview here, but support DIY culture and buy the zine, it is only 3 bucks.
-Shepard

ISSUE THIRTEEN / May – August 2009 – featuring Shepard Fairey
MORE INFO AT 
www.myspace.com/riseandfall

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Lead by Example ADOPT-A-PET.COM

“These animals urgently need us to take the lead and speak out on their behalf, now more than ever!” 
-Shepard Fairey

Release of special edition Shepard Fairey ADOPT print, originally created to commemorate what was hoped to be the first presidential shelter adoption in history, is now being released with the words, “LEAD BY EXAMPLE.”  The directive is a ‘call to action’ to raise awareness for the plight of shelter animals nationwide.

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REST IN PEACE SHAWN MORTENSEN

INTERVIEW Mag posted another great piece on Shawn.  Check it out. 

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/blogs/culture/2009-04-23/mortensen-has-left-the-building/

More deserving than just a short blog post we are saddened today to share the news that our friend Shawn Mortensen has passed away.  Shepard was/is a great admirer of his work and having collaborated with Shawn in 2004 for a Tupac Print, Shepard looked forward to working with Shawn in the future.  Needless to say he will be missed dearly and our hearts go out to his friends and family.  Below are some photos of Shepard, Amanda, and Shawn a couple of weeks ago…  courtesy of Supertouch which has posted a great remembrance piece on Shawn.  

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UPDATE: SHEPARD AT COACHELLA, THIS SUNDAY!!!

Hey people going to Coachella… are you interested in good music, how abou cool t-shirts? I’m DJing Sunday at 2:15 and I’ll be tossing out a few limited DJ Diabetic tees of the graphic below to attendees. Try to check out my set. See you in the desert.
-Shepard

SAHARA TENT  – 2:15pm – 3:15pm

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UPDATE: Shepard Fairey vs The AP

My lawyers filed my response to The AP’s claims against me on Tuesday (CLICK HERE FOR SHEPARD’S RESPONSE).  It includes a dozen examples of AP photographs that consist almost entirely of copyrighted artwork from me and other artists.  Today, The AP issued a statement accusing me of “making attacks” on them.  I don’t feel the need to respond to that in detail, because my lawyer already has (CLICK HERE FOR LAWYER’S RESPONSE)

As I have stated before I am fighting the AP to protect the rights of all artists but I do want to emphasize one other important point.  I’m not accusing the AP of infringing anybody’s rights.  I’m saying everyone should have the same broad rights of fair use and free expression, and that includes The AP.  I’m not questioning The AP’s legal right to do what it does.  But I am saying they have to be consistent.  They can’t have it both ways.  If AP photographs that do nothing but depict other artists’ work are protected by fair use, then my work has to be, too, because it’s at least as transformative, creative and expressive as The AP photos we identify in my response, if not much more so. If the AP has the right to do what it’s done, then so do I.

– Shepard

SHEPARD AT COACHELLA, THIS SUNDAY!!!

For those headed to the desert this weekend, the set times for all the bands have been released on the Coachella website.  And we just wanted to be the first to let you know what time DJ Diabetic hits the stage.  Be sure to be there on time cause you don’t want to miss this dj’s big stage debut!  

SAHARA TENT  – 2:15pm – 3:15pm

 

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OBEY X STEREO X MFG T-SHIRT/POSTER

Today OBEY CLOTHING dropped the OBEY x Stereo limited poster and tee designed by Matt Goldman (MFG) and Shepard Fairey. The initial poster offering sold out immediately, but we set a few aside to be sold on the  STORE section of OBEYCLOTHING.com.  In addition to the poster release we’ve also dropped 100 t-shirts featuring the same sleek design. As with the original release the poster will likely sell out fast, so head over to the STORE section before they’re gone.

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Why Shepard Fairey’s Prosecution is Bad for Boston

Saturday at the Boston ICA Caleb Neelon gave a short talk about why artist Shepard Fairey’s prosecution is bad for Boston.  Several people wanted him to put the talk somewhere public, and he has published it on his site.

“I’m sending this along to you because this is a current event, and some of you may not realize its timeliness or importance: Shepard is due back in court in Boston next week.”

PLEASE READ CALEB’S STATEMENT HERE  www.theartwheredreamscometrue.com