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Beastie Boys Win Lawsuit

I was glad to get a message this morning letting me know that the Beastie Boys prevailed in their copyright lawsuit with Monster Beverage. My friend Z Trip was dragged into the lawsuit because it was his Beasties mix used by Monster, so this win serves as vindication for him as well. Check out this article from the Rolling Stone about the case and verdict.
-Shepard

Beastie Boys Win $1.7 Million in Monster Energy Copyright Lawsuit

MONICA CANILAO | BORN FROM RUINS | Subliminal Projects

I live in my heart, my head, in the past and in the future all at once. My body feels as if it has seen a hundred million years and yet is new. I miss everyone I have ever loved at every moment. The universe is so large and unforgiving that all we can do is hold on and take care of one another…because in the end we are just dust and more dust, born from ruins.        – Monica Canilao

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS is pleased to present Born From Ruins, the first solo exhibition in Los Angeles for Oakland based artist Monica Canilao. The exhibition will feature a prolific range of Canilao’s work including an immersive site-specific installation, a crystal coffin, junk chandeliers, mixed media collages, a paper quilt, parlor portraits, works on paper of painted birds, and a new series of never-before-seen Shibari inspired photographs.

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 7 · 8-11 pm

Exhibition Dates: June 7 – July 5, 2014

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POWER & GLORY x CHARLESTON RECAP

My new body of work, Power & Glory, debuted last week in my hometown of Charleston, S.C., alongside a selection of works by Jasper Johns in the exhibit titled “The Insistent Image: Recurrent Motifs in the Art of Shepard Fairey and Jasper Johns.”  It was truly an honor to show my work with an artist that has inspired me, and being a fellow Southerner, allowed me to feel like I had a place in the art world.  To be embraced by the city of Charleston in the way that I was and to have my artwork displayed in the public sphere without the threat of arrest, is something I would have never expected earlier in my career.  I spent much of May in the city working with my team and the Halsey team to make this all come to fruition and into a GIANT success.  It was a huge undertaking and I couldn’t do it without the help of Mark Sloan and his wonderful team, Dan Flores, Nicholas Bowers, Z James, Rob Zagula, Jon Furlong, Angela Chvarak and everyone else that helped the project come together.  During my stay I was able to see many old friends and family and I’m so thankful that I got to share my art and the message behind Power & Glory.  The decline of the “American Dream” is a reality that we all face and I hope that my work has helped bring some of the issues causing the fall to the forefront.

-Shepard

Check out this video by Brett Novak about my art and the messages explored in this exhibition.

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A Total Disruption to premier 3 Short Films

Ondi Timoner and her team at A Total Disruption have put together three short films, which together will be premiered at the upcoming Sheffield Doc Fest on June 9th. In this clip you see glimpses into OBEY THE ARTIST, her short documentary following me, as well as pieces from the two other films one about my good friend and sharp-witted Russell Brand, as well as the innovative and tech-savvy Amanda Palmer.  Check it out!

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The Black Hills Are Not For Sale Prints

My friend, National Geographic photographer Aaron Huey, is opening up a print shop of his work today and launching it with a secret stash of our (previously sold out) collaboration The Black Hills Are Not For Sale screen prints that we created for Honor The Treaties – an organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous communities through art and advocacy.  Find the prints and Aaron’s photographs from Pine Ridge at www.outsiderpublishing.com.

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PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy’s High Stakes Kickstarter Campaign

The following is a message from my friend John Wellington Ennis, Director of PAY 2 PLAY.  Please support his film if you can.  -Shepard

We are so proud to have nearly wrapped PAY 2 PLAY: Democracy’s High Stakes, after years of following Ohio elections, investigating corruption, and chronicling activism.  Audiences have already laughed and cheered with this film, reform groups are using this movie as an organizing tool, and now we need your help to bring it to the mainstream audiences that will be vital to meaningful change.

We have launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance the self-distribution of our documentary. If you have supported us in the past, you’ll already be able to see your name in the closing credits, because every little bit of encouragement helped us get this far.  Since we know people are inundated by requests, we’re doing something special: a  TELETHON, in the tradition of the 70’s where stars performed their heart out for a good cause!

We are releasing a new video short every day of our campaign, highlighting the inspiring individuals in our film, the amazing artists, and our great partner organizations! (Check out the new street art shorts below)  We also have amazing items available exclusive to our backers — like the new Shepard Fairey OBEY movie poster for PAY 2 PLAY, a true honor for us, this 40″ x 27″ lithograph on 80 lb. card stock has already won its printer an industry award for Best Art Poster.  A limited number of prints are available only through this Kickstarter campaign, which ends May 30.

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Paint It Black – Hand

When I was working on the Paint it Black poster concept I tried several approaches, as I do with every poster, but instead of only one successful direction, I felt I found two solutions for Paint it Black. Both versions are inspired by the Rolling Stones song, but the first version was fashioned more after a vintage newspaper ad, while the Paint it Black Hand has a bit more of a propaganda feel. Regardless, they are both about oil dictating too much of our energy policy and our foreign policy. Imagine if all the money spent on wars and strategic interests in the Middle East had been spent on developing green energy alternatives. Instead, our government subsidizes the highly profitable oil and gas industries for $40 billion a year because no politician wants a rise in the price of gas to be blamed on them. Newsflash: we are still paying more for gas whether it’s at the pump or through our taxes. The need for gas will remain, but we need to invest in sustainable energy alternatives as we transition off of the finite supply of fossil fuels that are also terrible for CO2 emissions. Proceeds from this print will go to the NRDC to support their efforts to shape responsible environmental policy. Thanks for caring.

-Shepard

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OPENING TONIGHT – The Insistent Image: Recurrent Motifs in the Art of Shepard Fairey and Jasper Johns at The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art

The Insistent Image: Recurrent Motifs in the Art of Shepard Fairey and Jasper Johns at The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art opens tonight in Charleston.  If you are in the area, please stop by and check it out.

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Month Of Mondays | Jody Porter

This Monday, May 26, Shepard will be DJing at the Viper Room.  If you’re in LA come to the show and stay for the party!  (see flyer for details)

Fellow Charlestonian and and childhood frenemy, Jody Porter, will be doing a Monday night residency at the Viper Room for the month of May to celebrate his “Month of Mondays” album. The album is excellent and shows off Jody’s range as a multi-instrumentalist. I first experienced Jody as a guitar shredder and vocalist when his band he fronted as a pre-teen, Foreign Aid”, ripped through Hendrix, Stones, and Zepp covers at our local playground dance. Jody was already really good then, so imagine how good he is 30 years later! I will be DJ’ing after the show at the May 26th gig, Do yourself a favor, go out on a Mon. night in May. Oh, I may be doing the cover art for Month of Mondays, assuming I can find time, and Jody likes what I come up with.

-Shepard

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“Stand Clear of the Closing Doors,” a film by Sam Fleischner

My longtime friend Sam Fleischner directed the film “Stand Clear of the Closing Doors.” Please take a moment to watch the trailer and if you’re in New York go see it in the theater! I’ve known Sam since he was 12 years-old when he used to help me fold t-shirts in Providence.  The trailer and story looks amazing.

Check out the trailer here

– Shepard

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