![atistvo]()
President Donald Trump. The reality as it sinks in means many things to different people. Artnet News reached out to some of these artists for their thoughts and I added some writer friends, plus my own two cents.
It’s hard to put emotions into words after being blind-sided like we just were, but art can have a healing effect and offer a new way forward. Here’s what 21 artists and writers had to say…
![Barbara Kruger]()
Barbara Kruger
“Not surprised at all. It’s tragic, but also, more horribly considering the players, tragic-comic. And for all those who felt they had to sit it out or “vote their conscience,” the world is bigger than their narcissistic conscience. I hope they feel good about not tainting their purity by having to vote Democratic.
“The Republicans have been watering the weeds of hatred, sexism, and racism for years, and now it has overtaken their lawns and picket fences. But this is also the failure of the center left to speak powerfully to the fears and grievances of the white working classes. Not only their rage, but also to their growing displacement, both socially and economically. Trump’s con has worked its ‘magic’ on half a great nation. We see this mirrored globally in other acts of murderously epic displacement. Look for the moment when pride becomes contempt.” –artist, Barbara Kruger
![Shephard Fairey]()
Shephard Fairey
“I watched the election results with disbelief and dismay. I feel disheartened to acknowledge that whether by ignorance or hate, or both, a majority of the American voters have embraced xenophobia, sexism, racism, and a candidate with unprecedented narcissism, zero experience as a public servant, and zero ability to relate to the struggles of average Americans. In effect, the voters have rewarded possibly the most uncivil and disgusting behavior from any candidate I can recall. I refuse to believe that the majority of Americans actually share the values of Donald Trump. I think as a people we are better than what Trump represents. However, the success of Trump’s tactics will only invite more movement in an uncivil direction. Creating and implementing policy in a democracy requires a degree of civility. I’m very concerned that we are eroding the civility that is necessary for our government to function for the common good. We have taken a very dark turn as a nation.
The main reason why my wife Amanda and I founded Make America Smart Again was to combat both of the factors I believe led to the Trump victory: voter apathy and low information. Make America Smart Again urges people to vote, but also to inform themselves about the issues that matter to them so that they may vote for, rather than against, their best interest. I’m horrified that we are now saddled with the results of apathy and ignorance. Clearly, we have a lot of work to do to make America smart again! We need to do everything we can to educate ourselves and others and push back against the culture of Trump. I’m feeling depressed, but not demotivated. This is a wake-up call, and reminder that rust never sleeps, and cancer always grows. Let’s look in our hearts and do everything we can to reject idiocracy, embrace our common humanity and the common good, and push for informed empowerment and GOOD ideas within our democracy!” –artist, Shepard Fairey
![Ashley Bickerton]()
Ashley Bickerton
“Duterte, Brexit, Erdoğan, and now Trump? A long shadow is creeping across the globe. Dark days.
Journalists take warning! …First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.
Well, look at the bright side, heartfelt protest music is sure to make a comeback.” –artist, Ashley Bickerton
![Marilyn Minter]()
Marilyn Minter
“Feel the pain,until it passes thru you. Regroup get angry, get tough , take notes. Watch his promises fail miserably (manufacturing return, wall building etc). Form coalitions and work and take back the Senate and House in two years!
We always Act Up/ Fight back together and we will get on the other side of this. He is gonna be the biggest target ever! Even more than Regan or Bushx2 ! We will have more to work with this time.” –artist, Marilyn Minter
![Jerry Saltz]()
Jerry Saltz
Blood on the Tracks
1. I changed my profile pic. Who cares. The old one was me with President Bill Clinton.
2. But on Tuesday night I understood that a lot of what I thought I knew I didn’t know anymore.
3. Something on the scale of a paradigm shift is in the offing.
4. Till Tuesday I lived with the positivist idea that things progress, get better, twisted flaws and all. The old saw about the long arc of history bowing toward justice was true. Obama felt like grace; Hillary Clinton was going to solidify something.
5. All this went out the window that night.
6. My inner flag flies at half-mast.
7. Many of the institutions that we place faith in – be it media, television, newspapers, polls, debate, universities, etc. – failed us.
8. I feel a new world-view in the offing. One stripped of positivism and the idea that we’re able to understand our larger systems and mechanisms.
9. Scaffolding is falling.
10. I should have seen it coming. It was right behind my eyes and I missed it. Is this contagious?
I changed my profile pic to one with art (Cy Twombly); a perfect place to not believe, believe, and offer faith.
We in the art world were always gypsies on the outside. Hallelujah.” –art critic, Jerry Saltz
![Swoon]()
Swoon
“Well, the United States has historically been a racist, sexist nation. By law and by deed. And that is changing. As that changes, huge numbers of people who are uncomfortable with change, who are a little disenfranchised, who need someone to blame for their unhappiness have found a candidate who suggests to them that all of their worst impulses are acceptable.
We all have a tantrum throwing toddler inside us who wants things their way, who doesn’t want to consider anyone else, who’s afraid of others, and afraid of the new. In this case, we got a grown man to stand up in front of the country and embody all of those things writ large, and millions of people have responded to that. They want permission to let this part of themselves be openly in the driver’s seat, and Donald Trump offers that.
There’s more to the story of course, but this is what I can see from here.
My goal is to get past my bitterness and learn to have compassion for what I see as the misguided suffering of those 60 million people who thought this government was a good idea—to find out why hatred is so attractive to so many at this moment, and start a real dialogue.” –artist, Swoon
![Ebony G. Patterson]()
Ebony G. Patterson
“This morning I wondered about the rest of the world in relation to the US. We have lived in a global village for quite sometime. When the US went through the recession in the last of the Bush years, it wasn’t local, it was global. I wonder about the fall out of global relationships that could be spawned by reckless decisions made without considering the greater implications for all. In Jamaica, we say , ‘When ‘Merica sneeze di res’ a wi ketch col.’
I worry about what has been resting beneath the layers of racism, sexism, and xenophobia, and its implications for us all. And while one may look at the history of this country and say, ‘History is repeating itself,’ we have to ask what does it mean to repeat itself in this way in 2016. As artists we must continue to do the necessary work expected of us, continuing to challenge, engage, and critique… this is not business as usual…” –artist, Ebony G. Patterson
![Pedro Reyes]()
Pedro Reyes
“We have to fight harder! Fight the misogyny and racism and xenophobia in its cultural manifestations. I come to the US very often to work with museums and universities.
At the core of the outcome of this election is misogyny, which shows us that a feminist education is more needed now than ever. Everywhere I have worked in the US, I have worked with extremely brilliant, visionary women, and I do believe that women are often more capable. That’s why I was really hoping to see a woman in power. My only hope is that after these four years ahead, we bounce back so we can see a radically opposite person in charge.
Obviously, Trump is a dangerous sociopath, so US citizens have to do everything within their capacity to block him and bring him down.” –artist, Pedro Reyes
![Shinique Smith]()
Shinique Smith
“I feel disappointed and a bit frightened by the outcome of the primaries and especially of the outcome of the election.
I am repulsed by the new president’s rhetoric, and the overt racist homophobic and misogynistic statements made by he and his supporters, but not entirely surprised. These are deeply rooted sentiments that persist and are inscribed into the fabric of our democracy, and which still manifest daily with a smile in the backrooms of some art galleries and museums.
As a citizen and artist, I think we must not only make artwork that is politically active in subject matter, but that we must be present and participate outside of art world institutions to assist our communities in effecting real change.
Many artists have been active and have risen up to create poignant, political art this past year, and I believe these efforts will grow as we find our way forward.” –artist, Shinique Smith
![Plastic Jesus]()
Plastic Jesus
“It’s difficult to think about my responsibility as an artist. Who vested responsibility in me? I just try to convey my own thoughts, feelings, and opinions. I never try to capitalize on a collective movement, unless it aligns with my own opinions. I’ve always tried to create art that encourages people to question their beliefs and the status quo and maybe light the fire or [act as] a catalyst.
The Trump presidency will certainly inspire artists. Art has always aligned with activism. I was hoping for a tranquil and pleasant four years. That’s now out the window!” –artist, Plastic Jesus
![Olafur Eliasson]()
Olafur Eliasson
“As an artist, I realize that we in the cultural sector have failed to adequately address the feelings of frustration that people of many nationalities—including, as yesterday made clear, many Americans—harbor with their societal structures. There is deep anger and skepticism. Trump saw the extent of this anger and, much to my surprise, by reflecting it he must have appeared to offer some kind of hope—albeit in deeply polarising, populist terms that are clearly racist and misogynistic. This result leaves me with a lot of food for self-critical thinking. It is clear that we have to reinvent the cultural sector from within, further developing its potential to become an agent for social change.
We must not remain inactive. We have no choice but to use this moment as an opportunity to give rise to new movements built on respect and empathy, and to really listen to those who feel unheard. We can only do this if we embody and enact the values that are essential to nurture out societies: generosity, inclusion, the empowerment of everyone. If we, collectively, do this, we can work towards a future that is sustainable and trust-driven for all.” –artist, Olafur Eliasson
![Anti-gay activist Anita Bryant struck in the face with a pie during a press conference in 1977.]()
Anti-gay activist Anita Bryant struck in the face with a pie during a press conference in 1977.
“Again, words matter to me. So we have to begin to be very precise about how we use them as the new Fascist Order will continue to manipulate our language as it continues to coarsen our national discourse.
The United States is not a democracy. It is a constitutional republic. We must begin to understand that those terms are not interchangeable. It is the electoral system under which we live in this republic that has given rise to this Fascist Order even though its leader placed second in the vote total. This is not a mandate. It is man-made.
Back in my youth – specifically when Anita Bryant and her right-wing bigoted brigade won in Florida – we began to march one night and shouted, with fists raised in Greenwich Village,
‘Out of the bars and into the streets! Out of the bars and into the streets!’
The time has come to rephrase that as we once again raise our fists together, ‘
Off your computers and into the streets!’
A massive opposition must be organized.” –writer, Kevin Sessums
![Trey Speegle]()
Trey Speegle
“I’m still coming to grips with what to do as a person, let alone how having Donald Trump as POTUS will effect my art. I use a lot of positive messages in my work that have personal –and hopefully universal resonance. But I don’t feel so positive at the moment. I made a diptych for my show, ‘Good Luck With That’ in 2013 called ‘The Future Was Better’… It don’ feel that way about the future right now…
I made this piece in 2011. It’s called ‘FUCK YOU (That Gun Is Always Loaded)’… it’s not about violence or being vulgar, but about personal power and the simple fact that we can ALWAYS resist –even in the face of annihilation. We always have ‘FUCK YOU’ in our back pockets. Use it however you like. It is your greatest power and actual birthright as a human being…” –artist, Trey Speegle
![Patricia Cronin]()
Patricia Cronin
“I’m terrified and so are the global human rights movements. What I’ve seen in the art world, our shared creative landscape, marketplace, is the most bombastic white straight male artists are exalted. Misogyny is bankable, racism abounds and greed rules. I’ve been grieving about this for some time. That’s what I saw in this election and now the electorate has reflected the art world. Life imitates art. Gold, glitz and selfishness. The bullies win.
Compassion and empathy are ridiculed.
God help us.” –artist, Patricia Cronin
“All things fragile are in danger of being shattered.” –artist, Carolee Schneemann
![Emma Sulkowicz]()
Emma Sulkowicz
“When a big event like this happens… Racism existed in our country all along; what’s scary is that it’s reached a point where people feel comfortable being more overt about it. In art terms, visibility is everything. On the one hand, the racism was always there, and that’s what made Trump’s election possible. But now that those motivations are visible, that’s where art is going to have to do a lot of work.
I think that right now everyone who wants to continue to live in this country has a responsibility. It just so happens that the most effective way for me to express anything is through art, so that’s my personal responsibility. Other people who have more effective ways to express themselves and make change should do it in the way that suits them best. I think we all have the responsibility to do the most we can with the tools we have to fix this country, to put it bluntly.
It’s scary—I’m still digesting and haven’t figured out what I’m going to do yet, art-wise, but we have to do it fervently.” –artist, Emma Sulkowicz
“Dear Christian relatives and friends: In voting for Donald Trump and allowing his poison to be seen as acceptable and admirable, you may have protected unborn babies, but you have put at risk children already born and trying to live. In protecting the Second Amendment, you place at risk many people, including myself, who have been issued death threats by those who own–and liberally use–their firearms.
You, too, live in a bubble: A bubble of white, bigoted, narrow-minded people who just don’t understand brown or gay people, or people who haven’t benefited from the American dream as long as we have. Stay comfortable, and keep telling me that you don’t feel this way, but you just had to vote your conscience.” –writer, James Grissom
![Friends With You]()
Friends With You
“Dear USA, please maintain heart. We are not our president. We are a part of the whole human race. This country is great, and a lot of it is pretty fuct, but what’s the use of crying or letting this break us down?
We wanted entertainment and we got it. We manifested this and now we get to live it. The truth is our country has been like this for a long time. Dog eat dog, our system pits us against each other, business vs. people. I’m sad but not surprised. And this will not define me as a human or an American.
I don’t blame anyone for making this happen. I accept the blame as a US citizen, and I will use all my love and power to be better and love harder every day. Maybe if we all did that every day, rather than blaming or feeling sorry for ourselves, just maybe we will make a brighter future for ourselves.
“I love you all dearly, and I know this will pass, but I’m not going to be a victim. I choose love. I’m still with all the Hers, Hims, Blacks, Jews, Latinos, Muslims, Whites, Christians, Gays, and most importantly planet Earth. I will never stop fighting with art as my weapon and love as my shield. Love yourself and everyone you can; today is a sad day. But the truth is never easy to look at. But look we must. I love you, and I’m with you all out there.” –Arturo Sandoval and Sam Borkson of Friends With You
![Dread Scott]()
Dread Scott
“Trump is a fascist. He has threatened to deport millions, force millions of others to register in a database, seal borders to others. He has proclaimed that he will expanded wars, imprison political opponents, and curtail a free press.
The more important question is not what Trump will do, but will we do. Hillary and the Democrats have called for ‘a peaceful transition of power. ‘ Hell no. We should not transition to fascism at all and we certainly should not be peaceful as Trump and his cabal attempt to cement fascism into place. Others have argued ‘wait and see, maybe his campaign rhetoric was all bluster.’
In 1933, was it right for Germans to let this fascism thing play out and see if Hitler was serious about what he wrote in Mein Kampf? People of the world are counting on us not to let that history repeat itself.
We need to confront how serious the situation is and act with courage and conviction. Be in the streets and resist in all areas of society. I do not accept a fascist America, and I do not consent to be dictated to by this monster. Neither should anyone reading this.
Read a book on Nazi Germany. Don’t pretend its not that bad.” –artist, Dread Scott
![Alison Jackson]()
Alison Jackson
“Why did the vote turn out the way it did…?
… And what does it say about America?
The love of media manufactured public figures, celebrity and presidents! A deeply divided country. Trump has tapped into the ‘other side’ that hasn’t been addressed before and largely disowned by the establishment.
What responsibility do artists have moving forward in this political climate?
We find it hard not to take positions, but most importantly we must raise questions about public figures or anyone who has a public duties with a responsibility to the people. We mustn’t fear repercussions.
How will a Trump presidency will affect the art world?
The Trump presidency will be unpredictable, and I am sure a target for many artists… how else can you address profound issues without being arrested?” –artist, Alison Jackson
![Matthew Weinstein]()
Matthew Weinstein
“I can’t stand
-flags
-ribbons
-safety pins
-fun runs
-a thons…
…In relation to this election where she gets 2 million more votes, but she can’t be president because a man in a suit wants it more(irony), and some man in a wrinkly suit won the hearts and minds of young America by telling them what they want to hear and then only pulled back at the last minute and then made a lame last minute effort to save us from complete and total fucking disaster.
All of these protest products and mass sacrifice entertainments have been proven to work better for the people who manufacture them than for the people who use them. If you have to buy it you are on the wrong track. Even if it’s for free. Get the fuck off of me with your fucking safety pin. I am a person and not a billboard for your cute interpretation of the moment. Fuck you. Long ago I did an AIDS ride. It was total and complete bullshit. Complete bullshit. It’s like Trump ran it. I learned a lot. It came out that is was the least efficient way to get money to the cause. But they had it the next year, and people did it.
Write a check. Go to a protest if you don’t write checks. Or do both. But don’t think that some safety pin or pink triangle is anything more than environmental waste. Every piece of protest crap you buy ends up off gassing petrochemical fumes. And it’s all made in China. Oh right, TPP. Both Trump and Sanders used it to defeat her and nobody even Googled it. It just sounded like an abbreviation for toilet paper.
Don’t be stupid! We have all been stupid. We have been numbed by bad journalism, awful music (Taylor swift; girl power. Barf), idiotic reality TV (yeah. That. Can that go away now that reality is so much more bizarre than augmented reality), hideous fashion in which women walk around like hobbled farm animals with awful plastic hair and ghastly identical dresses that carve their bodies up into a serial killer’s view of the universe. And men with tweezed eyebrows tell l us how ferocious their wives are with a wink to let the other bulls know that it’s all a joke. The culture of rainbow girly cute boy fun gay hold hands for a second and then let go when something better comes along is making me sick.
Compassion is a tool that is used by the oppressor to oppress us. We feel we need to have compassion to be ‘good.’ While we are being good, they send us to our doom. Don’t be good. Do not be good. All of a sudden, an outpouring of sentiment for Mrs Melania T. Waaaaa. Oh she’s in pain. Don’t be bad to her. She’s innocent. Oooooooh. Look, I would love a First Lady First Stripper. She could say, ‘this is what women are forced to do to feed their families or Just survive in a climate that hates women.’ But she’s Eva Braun. She’s no victim. She applied for this job. She got it. She’s a professional. She would taze you to death and wear your jewelry to a state dinner with Assad.
So. Here we are in hell. Funny place hell is. All the people you trust are saying ‘buy a ribbon,’ ‘be compassionate;’ sounds like heaven. But it’s actually the opium luring you into hell’s back room which really really sucks. It’s like the murder room behind a mafia bakery.
These people. They are not your friends. They don’t want your handshake. They want to see you poor and humiliated and dead. You want to have compassion for them? How about spending that compassion on your family and friends; the ones you honestly do love. The people and animals who really break your hearts when you think of harm coming to them.
Do. Not. Be. Good. Be effective. Nobody gives a shit about your feelings. Your actions are history. And time is limited.” –artist, Matthew Weinstein
![Ani DiFranco with a borrowed protest sign]()
Ani DiFranco with a borrowed protest sign
(via Artnet News)
The post 21 Artists & Writers Sound-Off on President-Elect Trump (+ What They Are Doing Now) appeared first on The WOW Report.
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