Renowned artist Shepard Fairey has joined our movement to “Occupy the Dream,” by creating an image that will convey the inequality that has tarnished our nation in the last 40 years.
STORY: Shepard Fairey Joins Occupy! See What HOPE Has Become…
Shepard sat down with GlobalGrind and told us about his upcoming image for “Occupy the Dream,” his vision for the movement. Take a look at what Shepard has up his sleeve.
GlobalGrind: What message do you want to convey with your “Occupy The Dream” image?
I think an image for Occupy The Dream needs to reflect the logical and fluid relationship between the struggle against inequality that was, and is, central to the civil rights movement and the way Occupy is addressing systemic inequality right now.
What is your vision for “Occupy The Dream” – what are your hopes for the movement?
I hope that the idea that equality, or at least equal opportunity, is a concept that different groups can join forces behind to address our collective needs.
Dr. King is a great example for a collective movement because he was an incredible leader but always selfless, not selfish.
With him it was “we” not “me.” If all the groups who experience the problems of the playing field being tilted unfairly against them join together, the critical mass will be unstoppable.
A lot of people remain complacent because they feel they are powerless. Occupy has already begun to prove that normal people showing up and speaking their mind can make a huge difference.
I think if the movement grows driven by the spirit of compassion and inclusion Dr. King embodied it will be incredibly universal and powerful.
What are your thoughts since we last spoke to you after you created your ‘V for Vendetta’ occupy image? Has the movement progressed, regressed?
I think the movement continues to progress. The dialogue grows richer as the movement has seeped further and further into the mainstream political conversation.
Obama has been clearly addressing some of Occupy’s issues in his recent speeches. Now that a lot of the Occupy camps have been shut down, I think the emphasis is on the evolution of the movement.
There was a physical takeover which started the conversation, but now Occupy is taking over a lot of the media conversation, the intellectual space.
I think at this point messaging clearly with ideas that resonate is essential. They can dislodge the Occupy encampments, but to reference V from V for Vendetta… “you can’t kill an idea.”
We know your images often go viral, do you create your work with this intention? Or is it just as meaningful to you either way?
I create my images to hopefully be powerful and relatable to a broad audience. I’m not trying to be cryptic with my art. I’m happy when people find my images useful as a reference point, but I know some will strike a chord more than others.
There are a lot of sinister powers trying to shape the cultural dialogue to benefit their agendas so I feel an obligation to chime in from my perspective even if my art and opinion may fall on closed eyes and ears.
As we approach 2012, if you could create an image that represented where you see our country going in the new year, what would that image entail?
That is a tough question. I’d love to see seas of people rallying to remind our elected officials what democracy looks like and inspire them to remember how democracy is supposed to work: lawmakers make policy that creates the greatest benefit for the greatest number of people or they get voted out of office!
I think campaign finance reform along the lines of what Russell Simmons and Dennis Kucinich have proposed would be a great first step.
Maybe I need to make a powerful campaign finance reform image? I’m not sure if that would go viral… it’s kinda hard to make that sexy.
