Obey Giant Headlines

May Day, May 1

May 1, May Day, there are many Occupy actions happening. If you are in NY check out this link and get involved. There are actions happening all over the country so wherever you are, support the People Power! Thanks for caring.
-Shepard Fairey

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posted April 30th, 2012
Occupy May First

Occupy May First

My friend and activist Gia Trimble wrote a piece about the general strike on May 1(May Day) and the state of corruption in our economic system. I agree with the main principles of this piece, and I think the value of a general strike lies in it’s potential to demonstrate “People’s Power” and send a message. My concern is that a general strike also hurts small businesses that play no role in corrupting the political process. I have often discussed the power of how we choose to spend our money as an important democratic principle. As citizens we exert a lot of influence with our spending habits and what companies we support or don’t support, based on their ethics, is very consequential. I urge everyone to not only send a message with your spending, or lack of, on May 1, but to be mindful of who you support economically all year long.
-Shepard
In November 2011, Occupy Los Angeles unanimously passed a resolution calling for a general strike which was subsequently adapted by occupations throughout the country. Scheduled for May 1st, the goal is to briefly disrupt our economic system which secures wealth and power for the 1% at the expense of everybody else.

We currently live in a society where corporations rule everything around us. The capitalism that Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney advocate for is far from actual capitalism; it’s state-sponsored corporatism. With the help from the government, these monster corporations suffocate small businesses and influence laws highly detrimental to a healthy economy. 

Bills such as S.O.P.A which was written to censor the internet, was put fourth by Representative Lamar Smith from Texas whose campaign was funded by media conglomerates who are in a position to make profits from censoring the internet.

Since the well-being of society holds no value to the oligarchs, we shall remind them! We are citizens, not consumers.

A corporation answers to the stock holders who in return answer to the market value of the product. When the value of the product is threatened, the leadership of the company will do what is necessary to protect the value of the product. When GoDaddy’s margin was affected by a backlash of support over S.O.P.A, they rapidly changed their tune. 

On May 1st let’s reject the systemic corruption of our economic system. Is the economy good enough not to protest? Whilst not everyone is capable of walking out of school or work, participation in any capacity is crucial. If you must make purchases, support your locally-owned businesses! We have suffered stagnation as a society, the current situation we find ourselves in didn’t happen overnight. Together we must stand up for our future and all of those who are oppressed! 


For More information:
Gia Trimble
posted April 30th, 2012

Subliminal Projects x Stanley Donwood

SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS is pleased to announce Lost Angeles, a solo exhibition of art by British artist Stanley Donwood.

LOST ANGELES

Work by Stanley Donwood

April 28 – May 26, 2012

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 28th • 8PM – 10 PM

There is no future. We have evicted ourselves from our own cities, rendered our agriculture poisonous, criminalized the poor, aggrandized the rich, honored the stupid and ridiculed the intelligent…I have no solutions, no wisdom to offer…Whilst Rome burns, I take up my little chisel and I carve a panoramic apocalypse of my own…and if you want to see it, you’re more than welcome.     – Stanley Donwood, 2012

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posted April 27th, 2012

New Blood x Morgan Spurlock

New Blood
Curated by Morgan Spurlock
Opening Reception with the Artist(s):
Saturday, April 28, 2012
5:00pm – 9:00pm

Thinkspace is honored to be working with producer/director/writer/collector Morgan Spurlock (The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Supersize Me) on his debut curatorial project. New Blood aims to showcase artists that Spurlock feels have changed the art world forever and has in turn given each of them the chance to invite a protégé of their choice to profile alongside their own work in this very special exhibit.  Shepard is participating in the exhibition and has chosen Nicholas Bowers as his counterpart.  Be sure to stop by and see these amazing pairings.

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posted April 27th, 2012

Don’t Blame “Corporate Personhood”

A lot of people don’t fully comprehend how insidious the influence of money in politics is. I see corporate/special interest money in politics as the biggest obstacle to a properly functioning democracy. Check out this article on the subject. Thanks for caring.
-Shepard Fairey

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posted April 23rd, 2012

OBEY THE GIANT – The First Narrative Film About OBEY

A top secret project has just been revealed. Julian Marshall (RISD ’12) recently directed the first narrative film about the early life of Shepard Fairey and the origin of his OBEY GIANT street art campaign. The film chronicles the Buddy Cianci billboard incident that occurred while Shepard was a Junior at RISD in 1990. The trailer is available on his Kickstarter page. Julian is currently raising funds for post production.

SYNOPSIS:

Based on the true story of Shepard Fairey’s first act of street art, OBEY THE GIANT tells the story of a young skate punk challenging a big-city mayor and the powers-that-be at art school. Frustrated by his inability to gain respect within the confines of art school Shepard sets out to gain notoriety and acclaim by targeting the most powerful man in Providence, former Mayor Buddy Cianci. Risking expulsion and jail time Shepard plasters Andre the Giant’s face over the image of Cianci on a campaign billboard. As word of Shepard’s prank gets out, Shepard learns that art is a weapon and attention is both a blessing and a curse.

Check out the trailer and please donate to help him complete this historic project.

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posted April 19th, 2012

Shepard x George Clinton

I met Parliament/Funkadelicateer and G-Funk godfather George Clinton a couple years ago when he stopped by a mural I was working on in Miami. He was super cool and told me about some art he was working on. A couple days ago his assistant said he was in LA and wanted to stop by my studio. I grabbed a couple of his records I could find in my disorganized crates of vinyl and we had an impromptu hangout session. I got to hear stories about other Detroit friends of his and favorites of mine like Iggy Pop, The MC5, Smokey Robinson and the Motown crew, and Alice Cooper. What an honor and treat for me to get to hang with Dr. Clinton. Here are some Atomic Dog drawings he did on my records…BAM!!!! Thanks for all the music man!
-Shepard

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posted April 19th, 2012
Boycott Koch Industries

Boycott Koch Industries

Charles and David Koch appear to be pushing their right-wing ideology to the bitter end. And it’s time for Americans to stop helping them.

Everyone willing to participate in a boycott should sign this pledge form, which says we’ll stop buying what Koch sells until Koch withdraws its membership in ALEC (The Kochs are major backers of the American Legislative Exchange Council, a corporate front group that drafts “model legislation” for state legislators). The more people go public, the more this initiative will snowball. And if enough Americans of conscience avoid the Kochs, it just might put a dent in their bottom line.

What products need to be avoided? Koch Industries makes myriad consumer goods, and there’s no space here to name them all. But the best place to start is their household paper products:

  • Toilet paper: Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, Soft ‘n’ Gentle
  • Towels, napkins, plates, cups: Brawny, Dixie, Sparkle, Mardi Gras, Vanity Fair, Zee

For more info read this

 

posted April 17th, 2012

What Would Ronald Reagan Have Advised The GOP To Do Regarding The Buffett Rule?

   The Republicans always cite Reagan as a hero and role model. In an amazing example of how much further the Republicans have moved to the right since Reagan, they now disagree with Reagan on the issue of the wealthiest Americans paying their fair share in taxes. Reagan and Obama actually agree on the issue. Tax loopholes make it easier for wealthy business owners to pay less. Obama wants them to pay their fair share and so do I, even if it means I pay more taxes too. If the money goes to schools and roads rather than arms and war I’m happy to pay taxes in support.

-Shepard

Check out this great video showing just how long we’ve all been fighting for fair tax rates (and what the GOP’s favorite hero even said about it). And if you like it and pass it on to a few friends, even better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRuWMoEWE1E

posted April 16th, 2012

JuiceheaD x Osaka Popstar debuts “Waiting Room”

Two Misfits Records artists join forces performing together in a super-charged new school homage to the old school, as JuiceheaD & Osaka Popstar team to debut an all-new cover version of Fugazi’s classic punk anthem “Waiting Room”! Produced by longtime Misfits and Ramones collaborator John Cafiero (Osaka Popstar).

Features front and back sleeve art created specifically for this release by world-renowned visual artist Shepard Fairey (OBEY GIANT ART/ Studio Number One), in a nod to his punk-rock inspired, graffiti-driven, street-art roots.

The special Ltd. Edition Record Store Day Exclusive 7-inch pressing includes the dynamic new rendition of “Waiting Room” performed by JuiceheaD X Osaka Popstar on Side A, with an exclusive etched B-side showcasing the iconic Shepard Fairey sleeve art on black vinyl. 1-in-10 chance at a red etched vinyl variant. Includes free digital download card with MP3s of the new JH X OP “Waiting Room” single, plus an extended “Time Bomb Remix” of the track. Only 1,000 etched copies pressed worldwide. Available at participating locations everywhere on Record Store Day, Saturday April 21, 2012.

Digital download available online worldwide via iTunes, Amazon and more: Tues. April 24th.  You can preview the JuiceheaD X Osaka Popstar “Waiting Room” cover in streaming audio now at RollingStone.com.

Pick up the exclusive JH X OP “Waiting Room” Record Store Day 7-inch at Looney Tunes Records on Sat. April 21st, and you’ll receive a wristband that gets you in to the 1pm Osaka Popstar & JuiceheaD instore signing! John Cafiero (Osaka Popstar) & Rob Vannice (JuiceheaD) will appear for a signing at Looney Tunes Records (31 Brookvale Ave. West Babylon, NY 11704, 631 587 7722, from 1-2 pm on Record Store Day, Sat. April 21st signing copies of the new “Waiting Room” single, prior JuiceheaD and Osaka Popstar releases, and any other applicable stuff fans might bring along. For those who bring a copy of “Commando: the Autobiography of Johnny Ramone”, John Cafiero (who edited the book and contributed an afterword), will gladly sign those too.

There will be a limited number of “Waiting Room” 7-inches available so get there early!

Exclusive Ltd. Ed 18” x 24” autographed screen-print of the sleeve art signed by Shepard Fairey,  Casey Ryder (Studio Number One), John Cafiero (Osaka Popstar), and Rob Vannice (JuiceheaD) available at select record shops and Misfits Records online store.   Pick up a print and pre-order the EP from the Misfits Records or Osaka Popstar online shops , and you’ll get free MP3 downloads (on 4/24) of the JH X OP “Waiting Room” single, plus the “Time Bomb Remix” of Waiting Room + 3 additional remixes.

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posted April 12th, 2012