- Description
A conversation with artist Shepard Fairey about his portrait of Barack Obama
- Keywords:
- Obama
- graffiti
- andre the giant
- Street art
- obey
- Hope
In order to download Charlie Rose podcasts to iTunes for transfer to an iPod, you must have iTunes installed. If you do, please click the following link to download the podcast for this interview:
itpc://www.charlierose.com/view/itunes/10047
Otherwise, close this window to continue viewing.
Close
Page 1 of 1
Page 1 of 1
CreatureFear 05/11/2010 01:53 PM Report
His work is total plagiarism:
http://www.art-for-a-change.com/Obey/index.htm
He simply takes images from little-known artists, adds "Obey" and then puts it through a Soviet-era poster filter. He's a joke to serious graffiti artists (most of who DON'T simply copy other people's work and add a few filters with Photoshop). Taking someone else's work and adding in a few dinkily-designed stars (or "Obey"-esque buzzwords) does not make a "talented" or "visionary" artist as other comments have suggested. The thing about Fairey that pales in comparison to his plagiarism is the fact that he sues other artists for appropriating his images when his entire portfolo is made up of the exact same thing. I could stand his crappy pseudo-arguments about appropriation, but I can't stand blatant hypocrisy.
papatango 02/22/2010 09:50 PM Report
In my art education, I recall the lively class discussions about whether or not you could call serially reproduced images "art" rather than "commercial graphics". After thinking on this a while, I reasoned that a good rule of thumb might be that an image is only art--in the traditional sense--if you cannot fully experience the "work" in any other way but in person. That's one reason why printmaking is categorically called "printmaking" and "graphics" and not "art-making". I characterize Fairey's Obama poster images as print propaganda, and his mischievous, street-level misdermeanors as elevated, self-righteous, vandalism.
The "elephant in the room" in this interview with Fairey and Rose is the fact that nary a mention was made of the fact the the whole look, style and feel of his Obama poster was appropriated(a nice art world term for steal)from the old Soviet Union Communist propaganda posters(and Barbara Krueger's work for that matter), without which Fairey's work would not have been possible.
On a related thought,isn't it also curious that with all of the controversy surrounding President Obama's suspected ideological Marxist bent that his campaign team would've hired Fairey to create posters that would make even Stalin in his tomb feel warm and nostalgic?
GK2 08/18/2009 01:56 AM Report
But what about credit where credit's due?
TSK216 03/27/2009 09:33 PM Report
Shepard Fairey is an icon in my sub-culture. He is a rolemodel for kids like me. He inspires in a positive way. Make art not war!
g_designer 02/12/2009 10:00 AM Report
“I find the relationship between Fairey’s work and his sources discomforting. Nothing substantial has been added.” - Milton Glaser
soulfulady 02/04/2009 05:03 PM Report
In this case, a picture IS worth a thousand words, and what a refreshing and inspiring young man Shepard Fairey is. In my post-60s obsolete opinion, he is the real face of hope in this country. Intelligent, visionary, artist-activist. For all the weak imitations of human beings out there, he is a breath of fresh air. Take care of yourself, Shepard Fairey. In the vast treasury of human potential, yours is extremely encouraging.
Maberly_Ontario 02/04/2009 01:16 PM Report
Extraordinary talent combined with intellect and passion. Hopefully his work is included in art curriculae across the nation. As a former art teacher I recall so many gifted students that faded..owing to finances and lack of exposure. From the 'easiness' of the interview Charlie, you can probably count a few young talents from your own varied life. Thank you.