School for Creative Activism alum, Donovan McKnight took the Show of Hands political party (literally, we mean party) he organized in 2011 in Greensboro NC and quadrupled it. Video below:
Author Archives: Steve Lambert
Richard Wolff on the economic crisis (2009)
Economist, author, Professor emeritus UMass, Amherst, Richard Wolff, speaks about the current economic crises, its’ roots and what we can do about it. The “what to do about it” section touches on where collectivism overlaps with Republican software developers in Silicon Valley (at 1hr 16m) and relates to Gramsci’s “War of Position” we often talk …
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On Evolution and Opiates
Jerry Coyne explains why evolution is true. After all the scientific evidence it gets juicy. Coyne theorizes on why evolution gets so much cultural resistance (spoiler alert: religion) and shows some stunning data on the correlation between religion and unhealthy societies. A long video in internet terms, but worth watching.
An Open Letter to Critics Writing About Political Art
Last weekend Creative Time held their fourth annual summit on the current state of artistic activism. Over two days, scores of political artists from around the world gave short presentations and organized longer workshops. Hundreds of people participated. The critical response, so far, has been underwhelming: few critics attended and those that did had little substantive to …
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Dream: Re-Imagining Progressive Politics in an Age of Fantasy – free PDF
Dream: Re-Imagining Progressive Politics in an Age of Fantasy by CAA co-director Stephen Duncombe is now a free pdf. Part analysis of popular culture, part how-to guide to creative activism, Stephen make a case for how activists can, and must use fantasy and spectacle in their work…and do it ethically.
John Hodgman “I LIKE WINNING”
This morning at the Center for Artistic Activism we’re reading and talking about John Hodgman’s piece on 90 Days, 90 Reasons called “I LIKE WINNING.“
Love, Liberty & Protest: Souvenir Vendors Sell Stop & Frisk T-shirts
New project from the Center for Tactical Magic Friend of the Center for Artistic Activism, Aaron Gach, has a new project in partnership with some great organizations. You can read more about Aaron in our Artist Interview section. Stop & Frisk T-Shirts Sold on New York Streets Souvenir vendors along Battery Park and beyond are …
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Behind the scenes with the Yes Labs
Mini-Documentary on Artist members of Iraq Veterans Against the War
After discharge from service, integrating back into civilian society often comes with crisis. In Chicago, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are using art to process their experiences and to educate the public about the traumas of war.
ExtraEnvironmentalist Interview with CAA’s Steve Lambert
The ExtraEnvironmentalist podcast recently did an interview with the Center for Artistic Activism’s Steve Lambert. With an educational system that trains artists to develop their talents into commercial skills, our culture is missing out on the ability for art to disrupt normalcy. Why should we hope for systemic reform when the vast majority of water …
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Mr. Rogers defends public funding to the US Senate and secures $20 Million
Sincerity and ultimately a song win over a US Senator who has no idea who Mr. Rogers is. Watch 1969 Senate Hearings on PBS. See more from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
“Look at him; no ribbons, no lace!” Cyrano teaches us old lessons
I don’t think I understood how valuable this was in freshman year English class. What a strength to have such confidence, and be able to insult yourself better than anyone else. To know that what others perceive as our weaknesses are actually strengths. Our value isn’t worn outside, but in our hearts and our actions. …
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“Living in Limbo” brings LGBT issues to the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama
Living in Limbo: A contemporary photography exhibit that honors the complexities of lesbian family life by revealing authentic moments. Unfortunately the movement for LGBT rights doesn’t shift at the same pace around the country. Certain regions make strides forward – passing gay rights and marriage equality legislation – while others seem to be moving slowly …
L.M. Bogad’s Economusic Performance
Here’s a short excerpt of (CAA West Coast Director) Larry Bogad’s new Economusic which he performed on March 30 in New York at the Austrian Cultural Forum. Contact Larry to bring it to your town!
The Pigs vs. The Freaks
Will we see a Black Bloc vs. Riot Cops soccer match in 2012?
George Saunders talks about large impacts on small audiences
10 New Year’s resolutions for designers
There’s some great chunks of wisdom in this .net magazine post from Mike Monteiro that we can creatively adapt to our own practices. Like this: from number one: “Choose better problems to solve” We have more processing power, affordable tools, and combined intelligence right this very minute than at any point in the history of …
Sarah Silverman, Comedy, and the idea of the meta-bigot
This piece from Slate in 2005 introduces the interesting idea of a meta-bigots: Silverman has become an important member of a guerrilla vanguard in the culture wars that we might call the “meta-bigots”…. The meta-bigots work at social problems indirectly; instead of discussing race, rape, abortion, incest, or mass starvation, they parody our discussions of …
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Always good stuff from ill doctrine
Frank Luntz on Occupy Wall Street
“I’m so scared of this anti-Wall Street effort. I’m frightened to death,” said Frank Luntz, a Republican strategist and one of the nation’s foremost experts on crafting the perfect political message. “They’re having an impact on what the American people think of capitalism.” Luntz offered tips on how Republicans could discuss the grievances of the …