Simone WilsonUpdate: “Shepard Fairey Designs 'Occupy Hope' Poster, Replaces Obama's Face With 'V for Vendetta' Mask.”
Yup. This just happened. Right after receiving the victorious news from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg that Occupy Wall Street doesn't have to move out of Zuccotti Park after all, protest organizers learned they'd been blessed with a Shepard Fairey original.
An East Coast art-blog editor who's been keeping up with the artistic aspects of OWS (and oh, there are many — in L.A. too!) told WNYC radio of Fairey's “Occupation Party” invite:
Look familiar?
“I think it's really great that it's an upward looking positive image, as well as it tries to tie together a little bit of the radicalism of the 60's with today.”
Indeed — Fairey's apparently still on his strong-black-person-gazing-majestically-into-the-heavens kick. But will his (very kind) contributions to the movement revive the Obama “Hope” curse?
Fairey's portrait of the president lured millions of huddled hipsters to the voting booths in 2008. But after many of them decided he's just as useless as the next paid-off politician — seeing as, you know, the sky didn't rain down free pot and iPads — the “Hope” symbol took on a new cheesy patriotism.
Now, Obama has a twin Fairey print to prop next to his own in the oval office. (If you squint your eyes, the cloud-gazer even looks a little like Michelle!) Next thing you know, some Angela Davis photographer will sue Fairey for copyright infringement.
For more on co-optation of the frustration, see: “City Council Unanimously Passes Occupy L.A. Resolution — Protesters Struggle to Distance Themselves From Democrats, Unions.”
Also, “Some Campers Say They've Changed Their Address to City Hall.”
The event advertised beneath our beloved Echo Park street artist's latest tribute to social change is a protest/fest this Saturday evening, October 15th, in Times Square:
“Hundreds of cities across the country will host demonstrations in support of the #Occupy movement. In New York City, dozens of community groups, unions, student organizations and lots and lots of regular folk are taking to the streets in a mass protest that will culminate in Times Square at 5pm, then moving (by train party!) downtown.”
Partygoers are instructed to wear pure white, because “in many cultures dressing in white is a symbol of hope and transition. Think: white suits, dresses, face-paint, glitter, balloons, banners, be inspired.”
Sounds pretty beautiful, actually. We've contacted Occupy L.A. to see where our branch of the party will take place. Down for a masked appearance, Fairey? Street artist Saber's definitely been one-upping you on the local-involvement front.
Our favorite photos from the Occupy L.A. protest, after the jump.
[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]
Credit: PHOTO BY ED CARRASCO
Credit: PHOTO BY ED CARRASCO
Credit: PHOTO BY ED CARRASCO
Credit: PHOTO BY ED CARRASCO
Credit: PHOTO BY ED CARRASCO
Credit: PHOTO BY NANETTE GONZALES
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