City: It's Not A Political Endorsement, It's Just Art (Ron English in Colorado Springs)

[Hissyspit]

Source: The Gazette

City: It’s not a political endorsement, it’s just art

October 16, 2008 - 10:49PM
MARIA ST. LOUIS-SANCHEZ
SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
An art piece that combines the face of President Lincoln with the face of Sen. Barack Obama can remain on the walls of local businesses. The piece, called "Abraham Obama," has been displayed in several places across Colorado Springs but was recently questioned by the city's revocable permits department. After a short investigation, the department decided that "Abraham Obama" is art and not a political endorsement, which would have violated city sign ordinances.

"It was decided that it was a mural," said Sue Matz, revocable permits coordinator for Colorado Springs. She said that she discussed the matter with her supervisor and they came to the decision together.

Had the piece been deemed a political endorsement, businesses displaying it would have had to abide by city sign restrictions. Those in violation would have had to apply for a permit or take the piece down.

- snip -

"Abraham Obama" was created by New York-based artist Ron English and has sparked national attention, with fans plastering the print in cities across the U.S. In Colorado Springs, it has been displayed at more than 40 sites, and Goede aims to place more images here than anywhere else. So far, Colorado Springs is trailing Brooklyn, but Goede has 100 "Abraham Obama" bumper stickers ordered that he hopes to display soon.

Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/obama_42005___article.html/colorado_springs.html

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Ron English's Site: http://www.popaganda.com

[skyounkin]

1. LOL

Lincoln has Obama ears......

That's a nice picture.

Dunno about the "it's are, not a political endoresment" thing though. I think it would be up to the business to explain as to why they displaying it.

[aquart]

2. It's totally a political endorsement.

Or a threat of assassination. Which means it's in the eye of the beholder which makes it art. Who knew?

[harmonicon]

3. I don't know that it's a political endorsement itself

It's clearly art with a political motivation behind it, but I would argue that all works of art are political in a sense. They guy who made the image is an artist by profession, not a producer of political ads. Bob Dylan's music may be political, but he was still a musician first and foremost.

[OnyxCollie]

4. There's a great documentary about Ron English on LinkTV.

Popaganda: the Art of Ron English.

[Winterblues]

5. So is Obama a Republican like Lincoln or is Lincoln a Democrat like Obama?

:shrug:

[PittPoliSci]

6. i don't know how artistic it is...

the statement is stupid, and it looks hideous.

but, he should have the right to display it, regardless.