Liberal * open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. * favorable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms. * (in a political context) favoring maximum individual liberty in political and social reform. A broadened and open perspective isn't necessarily grounded in allegiance to a particular group. Sadly, the conservative democratic process does as you say offer either or. What's even more frightening socially, is if your not a member of one group, it's always assumed your a member of the other (i.e. not a Democrat you must be a Republican or worse). In my opinion, both parties have identical aims via diverse paths. The propaganda is disheartening on both ends. The Democratic and Republican party's are very traditional. Independent and liberal ideologies are lost in this monopoly of power. No, to be a member of either club is to simply disagree with the opposing team or hate, depending upon the extremity of one's partisan leanings. The result is competitive PING-PONG and I fucking hate ping-pong! No productive objectives are met its just about winning "the righteous" game. One that I think I will abstain from...

The righteous wealthy, liberal, with SUPERIOR intentions, objectifying and exploiting others to serve their own vanity (and GUILT). I personally had to work WAY out of the box to go to art school, which was an awakening experience. I was surrounded by young, privileged, pink cheeked, rosy lipped little Beatles-like future art stars in search of depth. Sadly, picking unfamiliar life issues out of a basket made of cliche and clumsily inserting it into their art like an awkward virgin's first fuck.

Having A Moment (in a non-partisan Kind-o-way) There is so much discontent compelling movements such as the Tea Party. I do feel the current climate demands immediate and radical action, not blame. A kind of intellectual revolution that awakens objective action rather than emotional reaction and inspires thoughtful pro-activity rather than dependence. Otherwise, we will all just be taken advantage of. In my opinion the only way forward is to release the baggage of partisanship or allegiance to a particular group. For the sake of solving our common problems. At least for this sake! We are all on this planet together and share a much greater commonality of "life" and "the human race". If this idealistic and yet absolutely true perception were active and constant, the possibilities would be immeasurable!

On The Streets Too often is the subject of homelessness carelessly, recklessly, arrogantly rendered and depicted without thought or sensitivity to the human beings turned subject matter. Even in the context of science and research the homeless humans are generally objectified and psychologically vivisected. The end result is generally purposeless and serves only to perpetuate further naivety and distance from the human hosts beings preyed upon by artists and researchers. In my opinion, If art simply inspires one to go "hmmm homelessness is a serious problem, its so sad, I should donate $, what does the word actually mean?" it is utterly worthless. Even if well intended, art dealing with the homeless is almost always objectifying the less fortunate for self gain. There is so much more information attached to the word "home-less". The physical space or lack there of, is of lesser concern than that which put the person onto and keeps them on the streets. Even the homeless dialogue itself seemingly deflects the core of the issue with words like social or collective responsibility. The term "human responsibility" would at least be a step forward in a direction of understanding and empathy. Lets all look down upon the lesser man or woman and righteously feed upon there trials and exhibit their tribulations. For we are the artists and caring bohemians! We will take good care of your suffering.

Fuck Each other Till We're All The Same Color I am intrigued by the assimilation of cultures and mixed ethnic relationships that result in a kind of new global identity. However diverse, this new identity bears fewer ties to historical cultures and traditions. The work produced by these artists could quite possibly be a window into the future.

Progressives Screams, yelps, fire, smoke, arrows fly, blood spurts, splash! I see Glen Beck as a captain atop a stone, rock castle tower telling his fellow officers and subordinates that the castle is under siege. As they are confident in the strength of the walls. Which have WORKED for hundreds of years to secure their existence. On the other side, the screamers! Together, with hope handed to them on a hand-woven, American made, hemp plate RISE UP! Finally, out of the RED, WHITE and blue closet, their dreams of PEACE can be taken with FORCE! Now, the KLAN may show its face with PRIDE! The two forces battle for scraps. Israel is horrified and goes on alert! Closing it's closet doors. Cats and dogs chase their tails in amusement. Meanwhile, chants of change no longer slim. The MOBs fight with lies and insults competing for dominion of truth. This fight is sacred. This fight is new. This fight must evolve in ORDER for the peace. TAKE FROM THEM EVERYTHING AND LEAVE THEM NOTHING! The winds have calmed and the flag no longer waves. Still, the battle continues! Democracy, Socialism, Communism, CHANGE. The spirits of the ancient Greeks strengthen the stone resolve. To the trumpets of ye old Roman guard! The deep, hallow, song of the "people united under God" justifies and endures. REMEMBER THE ALAMO! The fight for LIBERTY takes its toll on both sides of the great rock. The people, the people, the peoples stand for fight for peace, freedom and equality. A constitution! A progressive evolution! There's gonna be a revolution and it's gonna be all-right! ~ Déjà vu

Race To The Top Or Falling On Your Face Bush's "No Child Left Behind" limits and often times prevents instructors from teaching ALL students the given subject matter. Obama's "Race to the Top" will enforce this nonsense by firing the teachers for their students low test scores. They both apparently believe test scores are the way to the top and that the teachers are solely responsible. If competition and winning equates to higher intelligence maybe we should consider an ALL STAR football player for president. Who would have known that Bush and Obama were so compatible?

Fellowship & Electrons It would seem that identifying with and belonging to a group validates whatever is or is not going on in one's bobbling head. Unlike the electron-like people people cast of Dawn of the Dead, I would have stayed at the mall!

Responsible, Intelligent Art Making A common example I often use is "art about homeless people". Artwork that deals with crucial issues, often times poorly executed and usually crudely exploitative of the subject. The gallery and museum alike will exhibit, sell and critique the work as the artists, scholars and bohemes pat themselves on the back for their daring endeavors. Documenting the deep dark armpits that to so many is common, everyday, reality. Good taste and high culture is usually at the expense of another. In the end, art is sold, the art world satisfies its relative position within a community AND THE HOMELESS ARE STILL FUCKING HOMELESS! Much of what I have seen in art schools and the art world fosters, irritates and sometimes creates THE PROBLEM. Often times...

Art, Poverty & The Artist The art world has always served as a kind of trophy defining the identity, leadership, perceived superior intellect, grandeur and taste of the upper class. The concept of class is very similar to the concept of law. It doesn't really exist naturally as a tree grows in the forest. The idea is put forth (generally by those who benefit) as a common perception that is taught, protected (through art!) and even revered. If a majority group decided the law was irrelevant the iconic law enforcer and entire judicial system would be no more. The concept of class is only "conceptual" yet is the determiner of value and how we are to view history and culture. High culture also disguises itself by identifying with poverty and concerning itself with struggle and oppression. Strangely enough, the concept of the struggling artist in history is a lie. In honest reflection, most if not all "The Masters" in our books not only had a financial lifeline but were born into "high culture".  Today, it is a bit different! Though, the concept of high culture generates a kind of mass paralysis for the creative underclass to produce or exhibit their work. The physical reality of financial and social mobility (time and money to make art and show it) also creates obvious limitations. The contemporary art world occasionally awards particular artists based on political merit. Much like a basketball scholarship, doors now open for the already marketed peasant and ethnic or gender symbol. Especially if their ART reveals the vulture-like identity of high culture and threatens it's relevance! What was once powerful and sincere art, becomes an ironic moth/butterfly metamorphosis. One that makes for a galvanizing topic for dinner parties and publications. There's nothing romantic about poverty. However, there is definitely a noble quality to a person who willingly gets their hands dirty in order to rise above their adversity! I would also BROADLY assume that an impoverished artist whom worked a job to pay for their own education, may have learned a bit more about the world we live in. There is also something very profound about the experiential! Too often am I subjected to art that plays a distant and exploitative role in depicting people and the world around us. I have yet to discover a "universal" definition or standard for art, only established labels such as "Kitsch" and "Fine Art". Both standards seem to be intimately connected to class and money. How can Greenberg's kitsch peasant get anything out of fine art if it isn't accessible to them? The arts in education is usually pushed aside to a lonely corner of the university. However, kitsch is everywhere! It would seem that participation in this world of art is in itself unavoidably and exclusively class based.