11/30/2007
"Rogues Gallery" of White House Mugshots on Display
An exhibit by artists Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese is both angering and amusing visitors to the New York Public Library. Members of the Bush administration are featured in satirical mugshots, holding placards with the date each of them stated something "incriminating" about the Iraq war, according to the New York Daily News:
"The installation includes audio clips of the administration members - complete with the sound of a flashbulb popping and a prison door slamming."
Matthew Walter, director of communications for the state GOP, told the paper, "It is simply inappropriate to have political attack art, in the form of egregious doctored photographs of the President and other high-ranking officials who have dedicated their lives to public service, in a taxpayer-funded building frequented by schoolchildren and the general public."
Raw Story reports: "Ligorano and Reese are well known for their political art: 'Line Up (2004-5), their series of portraits of Bush administration officials, acknowledges that the mug shot has become the preeminent form of portraiture in America now that more people are incarcerated there, than any other country in the world. The artists debuted Line Up, selling it as a postcard book on the streets of New York during the Republican convention in 2004. Now in its third edition, they have printed and sold more than 5,000 copies.'"
Six more works from "Line-Up" after the jump...
Library exhibit features 'mug shots' of President Bush, White House officials [ny daily news]
Fox: Library's White House mug shots might confuse little kids [raw story]
Posted 9:01 AM EST by Andy in Art & Design, Condoleezza Rice, Crime, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, News, Republican Party | Permalink
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Hello!!! It's freedom of speech. Remember what that is America?
To items I want to state here.
1. I know Bush isn't a great president. But do any of you think deep down that what he does as far a policy he truely believes is right for the country?
2. I don't like that Colin Powell was made fun of. Yes he was part of the first administration but left because of his discust with it. I've always held him in high regards.
Posted by: Matt | Nov 30, 2007 9:28:09 AM
1. The road to hell is paved with good intentions...and Crocs. It's a very comfy ride.
2. Rolling around in public with that kinda hairdo takes balls. Work, b****!
Posted by: Princess Superstar | Nov 30, 2007 10:03:35 AM
Matt,
In answer to your questions:
1. Yes. But I also think Bush is purposefully kept in the dark by his puppetmasters...er, I mean, advisors. I don't believe he truly knows whats going on. Cheney learned a lot from the Nixon fiasco. Darth Cheney is the true Sith Master.
2. Although I won't condemn the work, I agree with you on Powell. He was manipulated by Cheney and company, but unlike Bush, he finally saw through the deception. I don't believe he "resigned" voluntarily, but was forced out by Cheney and company who feared he would tear down their carefully constructed weaves of deception.
Posted by: Aggiecowboy | Nov 30, 2007 10:04:42 AM
If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.
Posted by: jeffg166 | Nov 30, 2007 10:12:46 AM
2a. I'm lookin at you, Miss Rice.
Posted by: Princess Superstar | Nov 30, 2007 10:21:18 AM
VISUALIZE.
Visualize that karmic retribution is served.
(And yes, I too still feel badly for Mr. Powell. He ruined his life by pledging allegiance not to the flag, but to his masters. The guy deserves a break - he should only spend his time in the second to last circle of Hell in my opinion.
Posted by: Rey | Nov 30, 2007 10:33:41 AM
What's up with Con-do-lee-za's hair? That do went out years ago, but, totally funny "mug" shots!
Posted by: Luke | Nov 30, 2007 10:34:11 AM
Hunter at Daily Kos had this to say about Powell yesterday: "...one guy singularly and most famously known for having the Most Total Lifetime Opportunities To Do The Right Thing During A Complete Clusterfuck Without Ever Goddamn Actually Doing It Even Once Even While Every Shred Of His Own Integrity Got Shoveled Into George W. Bush's Boxer Shorts..."
I agree.
Posted by: Gary | Nov 30, 2007 11:13:28 AM
Hilarious.
If only it were true.
Posted by: wehotom | Nov 30, 2007 11:33:18 AM
If only these pictures were reality. Arrest those war mongers now!
Posted by: Ricardo | Nov 30, 2007 11:37:33 AM
I'll workup a list of criminal charges. Not sure a single post will hold all of them!
Posted by: Johnny Lane | Nov 30, 2007 11:39:14 AM
Shame these aren't real pictures! It's where they DESERVE TO BE!
Posted by: REX | Nov 30, 2007 11:41:03 AM
the truth stings. if these doctored photos were not so close to reality, no one would be interested.
Posted by: nic | Nov 30, 2007 11:48:59 AM
Powell did knowingly lie to the United Nations so I say fair enough.
I love the look on Condi's face in her mugshot
Posted by: Meeg | Nov 30, 2007 12:02:27 PM
God! Just look at Bush. What a doofus. He always has that "what's going on" look on his face. He's so totally clueless, he probably can't remember for which offense he's have mug shot taken.
And the mug shot of Darth and the A.G. Whatshisface are perfect.
Posted by: woodroad34 | Nov 30, 2007 12:02:51 PM
This is the kind of publicity that artists crave!
It's not like anyone is going to get arrested, either the artists or the pols, so there is hardly anything here to get worked up about.
Does owning Photoshop alone make you a good artist?? I think a few more lessons might have helped with the background blending.
Compare these to that great David Bowie mug earlier this month. No comparison and the latter was spontaneous.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Nov 30, 2007 12:56:57 PM
Political art featuring high-ranking officials is by no means a new thing. It's been around practically as long as printed and published media. The only difference here is use and digital doctoring of actual photos as opposed to old-school illustrated or cartoon strip media. I personally think it's brilliant.
Posted by: Ladyluxe | Nov 30, 2007 2:29:16 PM
All I can say about these shots is - how appropriate!
Posted by: blaine | Nov 30, 2007 7:52:19 PM
MATT:
1. No, I don't think Bush is doing what he believes is right for this country. I believe Bush began this war to avenge the plot by Saddam Hussein to kill Bush Sr. Now that we are in the war, I think Bush is drunk on the power it affords him.
2. Colin Powell was one of the main people in the military shouting that the presence of homosexuals in the armed forces would destroy unit cohesion. He argued long and hard to keep us out of the military. Nothing else that he does can eclipse that for me. I hate him.
Posted by: peterparker | Nov 30, 2007 9:53:19 PM