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| October 14, 2005 Editor’s Desk An Interview With Mariano Gonzalez by Aaron Selbig, insurgent49 Could you tell us how this project came about and what ideas, if any, you hope your audience will take from the show? When George W. Bush was elected the second time, I felt this country had changed beyond recognition. My neighbors, who must have surely voted for him, were now revealed to be zombies like in the horror flicks. Clearly, this country was no longer safe for those of us who are not rich and/or blissfully ignorant. What to do? There isn’t much I can do about the greedy bastards who are rich and getting richer. I can try to enlighten the blissfully ignorant or the non-committed that, by default, support neocon power against their own interests. We still have elections as far as I know…I can try to educate by making pictures that might change someone’s mind or, more likely, to encourage the non-committed to take some action. How were this images made? What materials, programs did you use? The images were first drawn in a sketchpad or a scrap of paper, whatever was available when I got the idea. Then, I either re-drew it on the computer or scanned it so that I could use the digital tools available to me. (I won’t tell you what software I use…they’re already making enough money!) If I need visual parts and pieces to construct the image, I use a web browser and a search engine or my digital camera. So, the original ideas are analog and the realization is digital. The images in the show are printed on archival paper with pigmented inks so that, for better or worse, they’ll last for 99 years. (No refunds after that.) Tell us a bit about your background. I grew up in Alaska. I learned what Alaskans are like (Have you listened closely to the words on the Alaska state song?). I attended Creekside Park elementary, Clark Jr. High, East High, and got a BA in Painting at UAA. After that I got an MFA at the Rhode Island School of Design. I served my country in the Alaska National Guard, because apparently I didn’t have anything better to do (like Dick Cheney). I felt compelled to serve my country, but saw no reason to go to ‘Nam to kill or be killed by other brown people. I did complete my six years of service (unlike George W.) I’ve been teaching digital art and design classes at UAA for 17 years. Do you think Alaska, and Anchorage in particular, is a receptive place for art that is political in nature? Why or why not? I consider myself an artist in Alaska…not an Alaskan artist! Alaska is mostly receptive to Art about Alaska. Check out the galleries here and the museums…lots of nice decorations for and about life in the frozen north! I’m a visual artist, and I can best show what’s on my mind through visual media. If I feel strongly enough, I find a public venue to show the images (or in the case of Out North, they find me!) I suppose I’m preaching mostly to the choir, but a choir sings best when they know the music. I’m trying to do my part (in the way I know best) to counter the ugly noise that is presently overpowering the sweet, sweet jazz that is normally life in America, and Alaska. You've
described your show as
"counter-propaganda". What propaganda are
you countering, and why do you feel compelled to counter it? Propaganda is information designed to convey a point of view, instead of just presenting facts. We can expect a fair amount of propaganda from the government…. our leaders are especially interested in presenting themselves and their efforts in the best possible light in order to do well in the next election. This administration has gone far below our expectations of elected leaders. Everything they say and do supports their agenda first and only. Most of this government’s propaganda, at its core, encourages support for more wealth for the wealthy. The “legitimate” news media seems to be firmly in the administration’s pocket, even NPR to some extent. And, most importantly, it seems that most Americans, against their own interests, are absorbing this propaganda and are in turn disseminating the neocon line among their friends and family who vote. To counter this all-pervasive propaganda, the enlightened citizens of this country need to propagate reasonable and intelligent ideas as aggressively as the conservatives push their self-serving and avaricious view of America. Propaganda is self-serving information presented as truth, with the force and power of the government behind it. Counter-propaganda is dissent with the force and power of passion behind it. |
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October 7, 2005 September 30, 2005 September 23, 2005 September 16, 2005 September 9, 2005 September 2, 2005 August 26, 2005 August 19, 2005 August 12, 2005 August 5, 2005 July 29, 2005 July 22, 2005 July 15, 2005 July 8, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 24, 2005 June 17, 2005 June 10, 2005 June 3, 2005 May 27, 2005 May 20, 2005 May 13, 2005 May 6, 2005 April 28, 2005 April 21, 2005 April 14, 2005 April 7, 2005 April 1, 2005 |
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Insurgent Media.
All rights reserved. in-sur-gent (in sur'jent), n. 1. a member of a group which revolts against the policies of its leadership. |
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