Tonight We Celebrate!
November 4, 2008
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Posted in burque, obama 
1 Comment »
God Endorses Obama
November 3, 2008
An airplane pulling this Obama message has been seen over the skies of Albuquerque for the last couple days.
Posted in burque, obama No Comments »
More Hate, Please
November 3, 2008
In the waning hours of this election, PAC505 is hoping to see a few more outbursts of racism and xenophobia from the far right and/or the McCain campaign. We will happily oblige their effort to turn this election into a referendum on intolerance. Bring it on. Let it out. The more that Republicans rely on hate and bigotry leading up to tomorrow, the easier it will be to characterize an Obama victory as a triumph over those forces, and the less likely it is that such losing strategies will be implemented in the future.
Posted in obama, politics No Comments »
Phoenix 11/1: The McCain Rally that Turned the Election Around
November 2, 2008
—The Cleaner
Posted in politics 1 Comment »
Starbucks Ad: Public Service or Rank Commodification?
November 2, 2008
We should not get used to this. It is nice to see corporate mutualism for a change and, who knows, maybe a handful of tired hearts will go vote only because they need caffeine. But this Starbucks commercial poses a problem beyond the fact that it resurrects the rumor of a shady association between Obama and over-priced coffee just before election day. The ad represents what is likely to be a trend of commercializing the cultural shift that Obama’s candidacy has provoked. Advertising destroys what it uses. The more that Americans filter this historical moment through Starbucks or McDonald’s or whatever soda or beer, the more distant it will become, and the more quickly we will forget the sense of agency, collectivity, and even duty that drove us to become more involved. The more such advertisements we see, the less inclined we will be to continue our engagement in the political process (as we will need to if this change is to be meaningful).
With this in mind, PAC505 makes the following announcement: if Obama wins the election, we will actively boycott any for-profit company that seeks to use this movement to sell a product. So Starbucks, you are warned. If your ad is sincere and you really want to nourish America’s newfound political consciousness, don’t commercialize it. For now, we will sip your free coffee.
Posted in obama, society No Comments »
Dry Beaver Lightens Up Burque
October 31, 2008
Dry Beaver is an Albuquerque-based street art collective made up of two women. Dry Beaver has been creating and installing street art in Albuquerque, and around the country for over a year.
PAC05: Is there a common artistic theme or idea that unifies your work or which motivates you?
Dry Beaver: Our work is recognizable on the streets for its bright colors and cheeky tone. Our most well known works are probably the “my little pony” character and the ice cream cones. We strive to create a duality between the light hearted imagery and the criminal act of street art in a gritty urban setting. We began spraypainting these images as a response to the art we were seeing on the streets. all the street art in Albuquerque, at the time, was very masculine and politically driven. We hope to bring a sense of lightness and femininity to the street by painting silly, cute, girly images around the city.
PAC505: What kind of reaction, if any, are you trying to provoke in the people who see your art?
Dry Beaver: We are happy with any reaction and interaction with the art. We would hope that our art would hake someone smile or laugh. However, even they are bothered by the vandalism, its important that they are thinking about it.
PAC505: What was your reaction when you saw the Obama poster on the area across from Java Joe’s that you often use?
Dry Beaver: We have been pasting images on the hotel wall across from Java Joe’s for some time, and this is one of the few place were there has been a response to our work from other artists. This may be due to the fact that the art has a tendency to last longer on this wall, and this longevity allows others to see and digest the work and respond as they see fit. The first Obama poster appeared at a time when only scraps of old buffed (removed) paste ups remained, and this inspired us to return to the wall and revive the collage, starting with a giant Popsicle. This is a great example of the back and forth dialog that occurs among street artist, that you so rarely see in Albuquerque.
PAC505: What made you decide to then include images of Obama in your collage at that spot?
Dry Beaver: All the Obama images were added by an anonymous artist, and while we do not create political art, they were a welcome addition to the collage.
PAC505: Have you ever got caught or nearly caught posting street art?
Dry Beaver: We have never been arrested for street art. However, we have had a few close run ins with the law, and been asked politely to stop by security guards. This is a major concern for us because Albuquerque has very strict, yet nebulous, graffiti laws. We have been able to be more brave in other cities such as Denver, Tucson, Pheonix, Las Vegas (Nevada), New York City, and Houston. At home, we work as safely as possible, always follow our instincts, and sometimes hide behind dumpsters.
PAC505: Did you vote?
Dry Beaver: no duh.
PAC505: What is your favorite thing about Albuquerque?
Dry Beaver: Everything. We are both born and raised Burquenas, we love our town and its idiosyncrasies. From Roller Derby to mountains to sitting outside on Halloween and typing this interview, there really isn’t anything we would change.
PAC505: Name three albums that you like.
Dry Beaver: Any thing by Jodeci or Bel Biv Devo; Disco D: A night at the Booty Bar; Kelly: Shoes.
Posted in art, burque 1 Comment »
An Easy No Cost Thing You Can Do In the Next 5 Days
October 30, 2008
When the Obama or Moveon or Democratic or Wildlife campaign people call you for more money or more volunteering, answer the phone and give them some love even if you have to tell them “no.” They are doing the world’s worst political job but it is really important and if you thank them it may give them energy to keep on going a little bit longer or harder.
Posted in obama 1 Comment »
Even Joe The Plumber Fed Up with McCain’s “Joe the Plumber” Routine
October 30, 2008
On top of that, McCain had to bus in 4,000 of the 6,000 attendees from local schools in order to give the appearance of being appreciated by a substantial number of people.
Posted in politics 1 Comment »
How to Cope with Election Anxiety
October 29, 2008
From the AP:
— Step away from the computer, TV and newspaper, and avoid vicious political arguments, says Gretchen Rubin, New York-based author of the forthcoming “Happiness Project.”
— When all else fails, change the subject, says Lisa Miller, associate professor of psychology at Columbia University Teachers College in New York. “Turn to those things which are more eternal and more important, such as nature and family,” she says. “It’s a great time to go into nature. Go camping.”
— Be pro-active instead of powerless by volunteering or otherwise making your voice heard, Rubin says.
— Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising. You’ll feel better while recognizing those things you can control, says Wilmette, Ill.-based psychologist Nancy Molitor.
— Realize that no candidate is as good — or as bad — as you might imagine, Molitor says.
Horseshit! Miller and Molitor are clearly Republican operatives and Rubin makes it sound too easy. None of them understand what its like. PAC505 recommends surfing the worldwide until your eyes burn, poking yourself with the needle of that Obama pin you never wear until you bleed, and over-indulging in the food or substance of your choice. Be safe.
Check out Larry David’s reflections on his own election fears and anxiety here.
Posted in obama, politics No Comments »
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