Political Circus 2024

Schmidt Center Gallery & Public Space 

On View: October 5 – November 24, 2024 
Opening Reception: October 15, 2024, 4:30 - 8:30 pm 

 

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Curated by Jane Caputi & Rockford Projects

Join the Political Circus!  Expect pageantry, cheap shots, branding, bombast, combative opinion, conflicting patriotic pride, and flags of every stripe. Based on Dr. Jane Caputi's multi-year collection of presidential election merchandise, this exhibition examines the interplay of political media, consumerism, and patriotism. Presidential pop paraphernalia acts as a cultural fun house mirror, reflecting and reshaping America. Curator Lisa Rockford juxtaposes Caputi's mass-produced election materials documenting trends in American elections with artistic "craftivism" and flag iconography for insight at media in election times.

  • Interdisciplinary Panel Discussions: October 15, 2024, 2:00 - 3:00 pm, and October 22, 2024, 11:00 am 
  • Artist Talk with Valery Estabrook: The Curse of Being Resilient: October 18, 2024, 10:00 am
  • Comic Workshop featuring artist Christopher Speradino: October 25, 2024, 5:30 - 8:00 pm


Featuring artworks from:  Aaron Fein,  Adam Farcus,  Adrienne Sloane, Amy Gelb, Angela Nguyen,  Arlene Rush, Aurora Molina,  Batia Lowenberg,  Celine Browning, Christopher Sperandio,  Donna Ruff, Elle Schorr, George Lorio, Hirbod Human, Iván Sikic, Jay Hatfield, Kate Kretz, Katrina Majkut,  Laura Ficorilli,  Leslie Robison,  Lisa Anne Auerbach, Mabelin Castellanos,  Margaret Roleke-Rooney, Martin Casuso,  Melissa Vandenberg, Misael Soto, Natalie Baxter,  Patty Carroll, Petra Liebl-Osborne,  Richard Notkin,  Rita Valley, RW BaBs, Samantha Salzinger, Sandra Ramos, Scott Froschauer, Susanna Johns,  Valery Estabrook, and Winifred Van der Rijn. 

 

Images (top to bottom): Picture 1: Wide shot of Political Circus 2024 in the Schmidt Gallery. Picture 2: We demand the return of red, Lisa Anne Auerbach, 2020, wool on linen, 63 x 80 in. Picture 3: Wide shot of Political Circus 2024 in the Schmidt Gallery. Picture 4: Wide shot of Political Circus 2024 in Schmidt Gallery Public Space.