International Exhibition “Axis of Evil: The Secret History of Sin” at Columbia College Chicago. April, 2005.

[roll over images for Artist information]

“Owing to a number of images that ridicule the president and members of his administration, the show has been called “anti-Bush” when, in fact, its theme is much broader. It addresses not just politicians of both major parties in the United States, but different political systems, the clergy, corporations, war, television, terrorism, gun culture, cigarette smokers and despoilers of the natural landscape in addition to the Seven Deadly Sins treated in art and literature.”

” ‘Axis of Evil’ contains sheets of artist-designed stamps from 11 countries. Because such stamps often are affixed to envelopes and sent through the mail, the work is a branch of correspondence art, which has been a recognized international movement since the early 1960s. However, because none of the stamps on view was used that way, the element of art as a guerrilla activity is not emphasized, though the theme of the show ensured that art would still be seen as an instrument of social protest.”

“The kinds of images found on the stamps are familiar from posters encountered at political rallies. There, of course, they preach to a choir that shares the same point of view, and no matter how overstated the criticism or broad the humor no one is offended. A gallery, on the other hand, is a venue that potentially serves visitors of every viewpoint, so the risk of giving offense is continuous. Hence, the call to the Secret Service almost immediately after the exhibition opened.”

“Few of the images are subtle; as with posters, the messages on stamps have to be conveyed forcefully, in an instant. This makes the prospect of their getting through the mail so delicious, for each stamp is usually perfectly clear as to what it’s about and, even so, passes undetected under the noses of people at some of the institutions being criticized. When shown, as here, in pristine sheets and blocks, its harder for the viewer to get that prankish aspect, but once grasped, the subversive humor lightens the tone of even more gruesome images.”

Source: http://www.badpressbooks.com/news.html

Evidence here is not trial-proof. It may just be that three kids who listen to too-much punk rock wanted to stir things up. That is very possible. But, is it also possible that Canadian police planted provocateurs within the protest lines in order to force a violent confrontation that could potentially end in the arrest and dissipation of these protesters? Absolutely.

“A couple arrested at a rally after refusing to cover T-shirts that bore anti-President Bush slogans settled their lawsuit against the federal government for $80,000, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Thursday.”

Via: http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=3489979

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

Black Flag’s Henry Rollins describes his first visit to Walter Reed Hospital to visit wounded veterans on behalf of the USO.

Cristy c. Road

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G63FEamhpA0