A Study of For Freedoms: New Ways for Artists to Participate via Traditional Mediums A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Fine Arts of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts Rachel K. Harper May 2019 © 2019 Rachel K. Harper. All Rights Reserved. 2 This thesis titled A Study of For Freedoms: New Ways for Artists to Participate via Traditional Mediums by RACHEL K. HARPER has been approved for the School of Art + Design and the College of Fine Arts by Samuel T. Dodd Lecturer of Fine Arts Matthew R. Shaftel Dean, College of Fine Arts 3 Abstract HARPER, RACHEL K., M.A., May 2019, Art History A Study of For Freedoms: New Ways for Artists to Participate via Traditional Mediums Director of Thesis: Samuel T. Dodd In 2016, the first artist-led super political action committee (PAC), For Freedoms, was formed by artists Hank Willis Thomas and Eric Gottesman. Two years later, the super PAC had transformed into a non-partisan platform for civic engagement and was generating the largest creative collaboration in U.S. history, The 50 State Initiative. This thesis seeks to analyze For Freedoms as art organization and impart examples of how it provides structure for contemporary artists to engage and participate within American society. The research focuses on For Freedoms’ connection to the theoretical concepts of participatory culture, media convergence, and collective intelligence by means of reimagining uses for traditional mediums such as billboards and town halls. The research also showcases how For Freedoms provided space for the attempted reworking of classic American iconography. This thesis is meant to communicate how an art organization can help foster a system and space for artistic collaboration, connection, and creative participation by artists with other artists and the general public, ultimately helping to create a more diverse and inclusive conversation around what it means to be American. 4 Dedication I dedicate this paper to my parents, Matthew and Shauna, who have always believed in me, encourage me to work hard, and inspire me to continue to dream – no matter what. 5 Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge my appreciation for the members of my committee and their unique contributions to my graduate experience. The encouragement from Dr. Marion Lee for me to join the program, the thought provoking and inspiring ideas from Dr. Samuel Dodd, and the kindness and sincerity from Dr. Dori Griffin combined to make my time at Ohio University memorable and gratifying. I’d also like to recognize Dr. Jennie Klein and Dr. Marilyn Bradshaw for their guidance and support during my undergraduate studies at OU, along with my fellow art historian friends – Eric, Candace, and Sarah – for their encouragement and comradely companionship during the writing process. 6 Table of Contents Page Abstract ...........................................................................................................................3 Dedication .......................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................5 List of Figures .................................................................................................................7 Intro: The Four Freedoms to For Freedoms .....................................................................9 Part 1: Collaborating for Connection.............................................................................. 14 Formation of Art Organizations ............................................................................... 14 Collective Intelligence via Imagination .................................................................... 19 Part 2: Repurposing a Traditional Medium .................................................................... 27 Billboard Space: Available for Art ........................................................................... 27 The 50 State Initiative and Media Convergence........................................................ 30 Part 3: Success in Participatory Culture ......................................................................... 36 Art Organization as Intervention .............................................................................. 36 The 50 State Initiative: Town Hall............................................................................ 38 Participation for All ................................................................................................. 43 Participation Beyond the Physical ............................................................................ 45 Conclusion: For Freedoms for Each Other .................................................................... 49 Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 61 7 List of Figures Page Figure 1 Emily Shur with Hank Willis Thomas, “Freedom of Worship,” 2018. (Photograph) Cover image for “TIME,” November 26, 2018. © Emily Shur Photography. ...................................................................................................................................... 51 Figure 2 Norman Rockwell, “Freedom of Worship,” 1943. (Oil on canvas, 46" x 35 1/2") Story illustration for "The Saturday Evening Post," February 27, 1943. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. © SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. ............................... 51 Figure 3 Norman Rockwell, “Freedom of Speech,” 1943. (Oil on canvas, 45 3/4″ x 35 1/2″) Story illustration for “The Saturday Evening Post,” February 20, 1943. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. ................ 52 Figure 4 Norman Rockwell, “Freedom from Want,” 1943. (Oil on canvas, 45 3/4″ x 35 1/2″) Story illustration for “The Saturday Evening Post,” March 6, 1943. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. ................ 52 Figure 5 Norman Rockwell, “Freedom from Fear,” 1943. (Oil on canvas, 45 3/4″ x 35 1/2″) Story illustration for “The Saturday Evening Post,” March 13, 1943. Norman Rockwell Museum Collections. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. ................ 53 Figure 6 Dustin Aksland, "Portrait of Eric Gottesman and Hank Willis Thomas.” Date unknown. (Photograph) © Dustin Aksland Photography. ............................................... 53 Figure 7 Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, Detail of "Fountain Valley Mural," 1974-1976. (6' x 625') Destroyed 2001. Photographer unknown. © O'Cadiz Family Private Collection. 54 Figure 8 Emily Shur with Hank Willis Thomas, “Freedom of Speech,” 2018. (Photograph) Featuring comedian, actor, writer, and producer Cristela Alonzo (standing). © Emily Shur Photography. ........................................................................................... 54 Figure 9 Emily Shur with Hank Willis Thomas, “Freedom of Worship,” 2018. (Photograph) Featuring American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California Attorney Amir Whitaker (center). © Emily Shur Photography. ..................................................... 55 Figure 10 For Freedoms, 50 State Initiative Interactive Activation Map, September 2018- present. (Screenshot of Map © 2019 Google, INEGI, ORION-ME) © 2018 For Freedoms Federation...................................................................................................................... 55 Figure 11 Barbara Kruger, "Untitled (Surveillance is Your Busy Work),” 1985. (Billboard) Photographer unknown. Photograph virtue of Billboard: Art on the Road by Laura Steward Heon, Peggy Diggs, and Joseph Thompson. © 1999 MASS MoCA. ....... 56 Figure 12 GRAN FURY, "Welcome to America," 2018. This billboard for The 50 State Initiative was located in Norfolk, Virginia October 27, 2018 to December 21, 2018. Photographer unknown. Image © 2018 For Freedoms Federation. ................................. 56 Figure 13 Sable Elyse Smith, “Untitled (We Want Land, Bread, Housing, Education, Clothing, Justice and Peace,” 2018. This billboard for The 50 State Initiative was located in the historic neighborhood of Jackson Ward, Richmond, VA from November 12, 2018 through February 3, 2019. Photographer unknown. © Sable Elyse Smith. ...................... 57 8 Figure 14 Michael Bierut and Kai Salmela (Pentagram), “Untitled (This Bus is an Assault Vehicle in the Fight Against Global Warming),” July to September 2008. (Bus ad for Green Patriot Posters campaign via the Canary Project) Photograph virtue of Edward Morris. © ....................................................................................................................... 57 Figure 15 Sable Elyse Smith, “Untitled (We Want Land, Bread, Housing, Education, Clothing, Justice and Peace,” 2018. Gallery 1708 post via Instagram, January 15, 2018. ...................................................................................................................................... 58 Figure 16 Sable Elyse Smith, “Untitled (We Want Land, Bread, Housing, Education, Clothing, Justice and Peace,” 2018. Gallery 1708 post via Instagram, January 18, 2018. ...................................................................................................................................... 58 Figure 17 Sable Elyse Smith, “Untitled (We Want Land, Bread, Housing, Education, Clothing, Justice and Peace,” 2018. Gallery 1708 post via Instagram, January