Political Minded – Mass Incarceration Feb. 25th, 1- 7pm

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Political Minded – Mass Incarceration

Mass Incarceration in the Land of the Free – The U.S. represents just 5% of the world’s population, but holds 25% of its prisoners making it the world’s leading jailer. Fueled by “tough on crime” politics in the 80’s and 90’s, incarceration rates exploded. The event strives to raise awareness of the disproportionate effects of the criminal justice system and infrastructure on minority communities.

Political Minded is an ongoing art and music series dealing with social and political issues. First debuted in Montreal in 2003, Political Minded events have been held in NY, SF, LA and Munich.

Saturday, Feb. 25th, 1- 7pm

Artists –
Fulton ‘Mr. Wash’ Washington
(Recipient of Obama 2014 Clemency program)
Tyler Gibney
Spanto
Coleman

Music –
Nick V (Baka Boyz)
Mr. Choc (Beat Junkies)
Ralph M (K-Day Mixmaster)
+ more

Film Screening –
13th (Oscar nominated Best Documentary Feature)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V66F3WU2CKk

Presentation by Keldren ’Kpook’ Joshua #frommyeyestoyours. On August 10th, 2016, Keldren Joshua was released from Terminal Island prison as a result of President Obama’s 2014 Clemency program.

Article from Outline on Fulton ‘Mr. Wash’ Washington and Keldren ’Kpook’ Joshua’s Clemency from Obama Here.

Black Book Session Artists – Artwork celebrating a second chance at freedom and to spread awareness of using art as a tool for change and education.

Program Support:
Wyatt Closs, @BigBowlofIdeas

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Gun America

Gun America by Tyler Gibney.

I was hoping to retire this image after our Political Minded series and the end of the Iraq war/George Bush era, but after the recent mass shootings in Colorado, Wisconsin and now this morning in New York City, I think it’s time for America to rethink it’s gun laws. Guns don’t kill people, but crazy people with guns do. In Japan there are virtually no gun deaths because there are no guns. Just something to think about.

Throwback Thursdays – Political Minded 4, Los Angeles – 2005

Back in Jan. 2005, George Bush had been re-elected and things were not looking good. The war in Iraq was in full effect and we wanted to bring awareness to this and other social causes. So we decided to have a large  art show / event in downtown Los Angeles, in continuation of our Political Minded series. This was the fourth ‘Guerilla Gallery’ after New York, Montreal and San Francisco.

The series was a collection of portraits in homage of people, activists, political figures and cultural icons whose work, lives and sometimes deaths revealed vital details about the reality of our world and the shape of our own social political perspectives.

More photos from the Los Angeles exhibition can be viewed here.

 

 

 

 

Political Minded Artwork

Obama – Hope and Change 2008

Noam Chomsky – 2003

Rene Lévesque – 2004

Angela Davis – 2004

Paul Krugman – 2004

Past pieces by the HVW8 Art Installation for it’s Political Minded series.

Art and Politics are tricky bedfellows, which is again demonstrated in the controversy over the role of the NEA and the promotion of policy objectives. The role of art in politics isn’t truly defined, but its presence is regularly invited and appreciated. HVW8 works to open dialogue and to include those in the conversation that will be impacted. We can only note that completely shutting the door rather than keeping that conversation open derides youth involvement.

(For the record we’re Canadian and don’t qualify for NEA funding).

read:

The National Endowment for the Art of Persuasion? http://tinyurl.com/nc7hrl

Dinner with Joe Biden

Kimmers and I got to goto a fundraising Dinner with Joe Biden on Thursday — Must say he’s a real good guy. The world will change with these 2 in power — or at least America and her interaction with the world …. also go see the movie “W”!! Crazy!

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