Blog Posts
Joey Skaggs is currently in Oakland for the open space Whistleblowers conference, February 17-19, 2012. Admission is free and open to the public.
If you can’t attend, the conference is being streamed live by ustream.tv:
Putin fake arrest video resonates with Russians
by Elizabeth Flock
Washington Post
February 17, 2012
The prime minister of Russia stood in handcuffs inside a cage, looking downcast, as a judge questioned him.
Watch Vladimir Putin in “jail”. Click on “cc” for English subtitles
The video showing Vladimir Putin on trial for corruption and terrorism was clearly a fake, but it went viral anyway — attracting millions of viewers since it was posted on YouTube several days ago, the Associated Press reports.
Called “The Arrest of Vladimir Putin,” the video comes a week after thousands of Russians protested in Moscow against the prime minister, who will run for a third term as president March 4. Putin was president from 2000 to 2008, and has been prime minister ever since. He is widely expected to win the presidential election, despite the public’s discontent, which peaked with widespread protests in December.
From Erin:
Here’s a sampling of 106 of the most beloved Street Art Photos–Year 2011. For attributions and to see more, visit StreetArtUtopia.com.
From Steffani:
SOMarts presents:
Events
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 8, 6–9pm, fee admission
I Fought The Law: A Conversation with Artists & Attorneys: Wednesday, March 21, 7–9pm
free admission
Undocumented and Unafraid: An Evening of Film & Conversation: Friday, April 13, 6–9pm
$5 suggested donation
Closing Reception: Thursday, April 19th 6–9PM, free admission
I Am Crime: Art on the Edge of Law is an exhibition of more than 20 artists and collectives who challenge, question or circumvent the law through their work. Curated by Justin Hoover, I Am Crime touches on issues of equity—who gets to break the law, when, and why. “True Crime,” a collaborative installation conceived by Critical Art Ensemble, preserves equity by inviting any visitor to become part of the exhibition – click here for details.
From Linda:
Efforts to create the Haight-Ashbury Museum of Psychedelic Art and History are underway.
From the IndieGogo fundraising website:
The Haight-Ashbury movement left an undeniable impact upon the world and the reverberations of the psychedelic sixties are still being felt today. Strangely there is no museum dedicated to keeping the history alive and relevant for the millions of visitors who come to San Francisco searching for inspiration and authenticity. A non-profit community supported museum will permanently cement San Francisco as the home of psychedelia. Our intention is for the museum to become an attraction in and of itself that will educate and inspire visitors for generations to come to reinvent the world according to how they want to live.
Watch the video narrated by Peter Coyote…
For more information: Haight Ashbury Museum of Psychedelic Art and History or send an email to info @ haightashburymuseum.com.
‘Bitter bench’ which tilts forward when used part of unknown artists’ group protest against Brisbane City Council’s response to homelessness
by Robyn Ironside
The Courier-Mail
February 3, 2012
PUBLIC transport users are literally being thrown off their seats in bus shelters as part of a bizarre protest against the Brisbane City Council’s apparent response to homelessness.
An “unofficial” public artwork in William St, the city, features a bench that tilts forward when used – tipping people off.
A spokesman for the artists’ group, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the so-called “bitter bench” was installed without council permission on the site of a recently removed bus shelter popular among Brisbane’s homeless. (more…)
A subversive spotlight
by Karen Michelmore
abc.net.au
3 February, 2012
Sacred cows make the best hamburgers, says the activist who defaced an Australian icon.
It’s been eight years since David Burgess scaled up to the top of Sydney’s gleaming white Opera House and lashed it with bright red paint.
It took three coats before the act was complete. NO WAR screamed the sign.
The highly-visible protest against the looming Iraq war split the Australian community between those who were shocked at the wonton vandalism of the national icon, and those who applauded the message.
Ultimately, it landed Mr Burgess and his activist peer Will Saunders in jail for nine months’ weekend detention for malicious damage.
“I won’t say there were days I didn’t wake up feeling utterly miserable, but you couldn’t really regret what we’d done,” Burgess says. (more…)
Activists Send 400 Tacos To East Haven Mayor After Infamous Quip
CBS New York
January 26, 2012
Joseph Maturo Jr. In Serious Damage Control Mode Following Jest Gone Awry
EAST HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) — The office of East Haven’s mayor was blasted with prank phone calls and a delivery of hundreds of tacos Thursday after his now-famous quip that he would address accusations of anti-Latino bias by eating tacos, a remark that left emotions raw in the town’s large Hispanic community.
Mayor Joseph Maturo Jr. has apologized several times but resisted calls for his resignation over remarks he made to a television reporter following Tuesday’s arrests of four town police officers, men described by one FBI official as “bullies with badges.”
Maturo held regular meetings Thursday as Connecticut’s Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission called on him to resign.
“The Latino community is upset and deeply wounded in what should have been a day of redemption for them,” the commission’s acting executive director, Werner Oyandel, said in a written statement, calling the comment “unprofessional and given in poor taste.”
Watch Maturo’s ‘Taco’ interview below (YouTube)
An immigration rights group, Reform Immigration for America, delivered 400 tacos to his Town Hall office in protest, though Maturo had left shortly beforehand for a meeting. A soup kitchen picked up the tacos, but one was left symbolically for the mayor. (more…)
Thousands in anti-Putin protest
Belfast Telegraph
January 29, 2012
Thousands of cars flying white ribbons and white balloons have circled central Moscow in a protest against Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The cars jammed the inner lanes all along the 10-mile Garden Ring, which has as many as 16 lanes of traffic at its widest points.
More protesters stood along the side of the road waving white ribbons and flags as the cars passed, their horns blaring. (more…)
Joey Skaggs will be in Oakland for this open space Whistleblowers conference, February 17-19, 2012. Admission is free and open to the public.
From the conference website:
“There is no truth existing which I fear or would wish unknown to the whole world.” – Thomas Jefferson
Transparency needs your brain. Whistleblowers need your protection. Fresh Juice Party, Courage to Resist and Bradley Manning Support Network invite you to bring your ideas.
Please join journalists, former military personnel, academics, activists, policy makers, media experts, filmmakers and whistleblowers for an open discussion designed to encourage unexpected interdisciplinary alliances and action.
This will be a unique participant driven environment where we will co-create the agenda for the day. [It] will be a first of its kind activist/expert un-conference mix so expect to be surprised. Sharing, networking and creating new alliances will be central to providing strategies and support for whistleblowers.
Come and enjoy the freedom of discussion and mobility of an unconference where serious discussion interplays with an open space atmosphere of creativity and play.
Check the conference site for more information. Register at Event Brite & Check for updates on Facebook and Twitter @OccupyTruthCon #TruthCon
UK’s Coventry University Department of Media and Communication presents this Creative Activism Guest Podcast.
From the CreativeActivism.com website:
Welcome to the Creative Activism Open Class – Now in Session
This class, presented by the Coventry University Department of Media and Communication, is exploring the potentials of creative media activism through encouraging ‘live’ creative interventions and participation in cultural, political and social debates.
Throughout the 10 week class we will be exploring how media activists and campaigners have used their media knowledge, connections and skills to ask difficult questions, provoke debate and raise awareness of important issues and problems in their local, national and international communities. We will be putting up a number of lectures, tasks, podcasts and other resources online to help you.
It is an activity-led class where participants will be choosing an issue that is important to them and working on a series of real and situated tasks that will aim to provide them with a number of and skills and abilities. (more…)
Submitted by Deborah:
Doll ‘protesters’ present small problem for Russian police
by Miriam Elder
Guardian.co.uk
26 January 2012
Police in Siberian city ask prosecutors to investigate legality of protest involving display of toy figures holding miniature placards
Russian police don’t take kindly to opposition protesters – even if they’re 5cm high and made of plastic.
Police in the Siberian city of Barnaul have asked prosecutors to investigate the legality of a recent protest that saw dozens of small dolls – teddy bears, Lego men, South Park figurines – arranged to mimic a protest, complete with signs reading: “I’m for clean elections” and “A thief should sit in jail, not in the Kremlin”. (more…)
Austin (January 24, 2012) The grassroots organization Patriots for Self-Deportation, formed last year in response to legislative inaction on the issue of birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants (also known as the “anchor baby” problem), announced today the launch of their website, SelfDeport.org. The group describes SelfDeport.org as a resource for patriotic Americans who wish to set an example of responsible citizenship by proving their own rights to remain in this great nation.
The group hopes the website and issue benefits from Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s endorsement of self-deportation as a solution to the problem of illegal immigration, according to spokesman Stephen Winters.
“A surprising number of authentic patriots have found in their own genealogical searches that one or more of their ancestors came here or stayed here illegally, and yet continued to make a living in this country and have children who in turn became instant citizens,” said Winters. “Some patriots, faced with this moral dilemma, have decided to set an example for others. Knowing that their own presence in this country is not on moral solid ground, they have decided to demonstrate the highest level of civic dedication and sacrifice, and engage in self-deportation.”
For example, Alex is self deporting to Poland
Clark Stoeckley, famed most recently for his escapades with his Wikileaks truck, and EIDIA House announce this performance and in situ installation:
EIDIA House
14 Dunham Place, Basement Left
Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
646-945-3830
http://www.eidia.com/
From Stefano Cicconardi:
You know, when Christmas comes everyone feel good, even us, ready to hoax folks and media for a good cause…drinking.
We created the Rednoze, an anti-breathalyzer medicine to fool police checks and protect your privacy when you’re drunk
A guerrilla marketing campaign by KOOK Artgency, Rome, Italy:
REDNOZE, How to Fool Breathalyzers and Hoax Media and Consumers to Avoid Drink-Driving.
An innovative strategy to interact with people who don’t drive responsibly and are always in search of shortcuts to avoid police checks. A 7-days campaign which reach more than 40,000 views and 10 millions contacts with coverage on Italian tv newscasts, newspapers, magazines, radio programs and buzz on web. The 10,7% of total consumers really wanted to buy Rednoze, a proof of how the fear of checks and measures still matters instead of their own safety.
“Protect your privacy when you are drunk”. This is the claim of the fake medicine Rednoze launched in Italy through the website www.rednoze.it to let media and young people rethink about drink-driving issue. The hoax, designed by KOOK Artgency for the non-profit organization Modavi, started before Christmas 2011 when the fake medicine was “released” on internet with a captivate pocket-size packaging and videos of successful trial stunts outside disco clubs. Rednoze was communicated as “killer product” to fool breathalyzers and to keep the inebriation. Italian media and thousands consumers quickly express outrage or enthusiastic reviews about Rednoze as a big loved and hated product. The reveal message “Don’t cut corners. Let your mind drive you” was showed at the end of the online order form.
Some media [Italian]:
Welcome to the Art of the Prank, produced and edited by Joey Skaggs. Here you will find insights, information, news and discussions about art, pranks, hoaxes, culture jamming & reality hacking around the world - past, present and future - mainstream and counter culture. You are invited to contribute to its development. May your journey be filled with more than your expectations.
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