Share
I like to collaborate with NoNAME because we have similar political views, and we both use art as a wake-up call with a dash of gallows humor. I mean, the threats to the planet and democracy, coupled with rampant crisis capitalism, could be paralyzing if we can’t still laugh. Anyway, I collaborated with NoNAME on this “Bedtime for Democracy” art, inspired by the Dead Kennedys album of the same name. NoNAME explains how the art came to life, so I’ll keep it short and say this is a very small edition of 50. Read NoNAME’s explanation below, and don’t squander your right to vote while you still have that right.
–Shepard
Back in 2015, I created the initial version of “Bedtime for Democracy” for some street interventions in Paris in the context of the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP21
summit. The artwork highlights the risk of corporate influence within political decisions. At the same time, on the other side of the globe, my soul mate Shepard Fairey illustrated a pretty similar statement entitled “End Corruption – Restore Democracy.”
Six years later, a storm caused through an invisible virus is destabilizing global democracy, while at the same moment it gives a few corporations even more power and influence – not only on democratic decisions, but also on public welfare democracy actually should take care of.
This situation was reminding me of a slogan I heard first from some brokers in New York after the financial crisis back in 2008. Every crisis is an opportunity – a cynical watchword that fits to the ongoing global crisis, in which a few not only doubled their wealth, but also let their influence grow on political decisions, while more and more people all around the world are losing nearly everything – including their life.
When I was working on the visual concept for this artwork earlier this year, whose headline is inspired by the title of the Dead Kennedys album “Bedtime For Democracy”, I thought that Shepard’s “corruption handshake” illustration would perfectly fit to highlight the actual statement and merge our intentions from back in 2015.
–NN
Visit www.N-o-N-A-M-E.com and Overratedart.com where the edition will also be available.
PRINT DETAILS:
NoNAME x Shepard Fairey / Bedtime For Democracy. 23 3/4 inches x 31 1/2 inches. Hand screen printed on thick ivory paper with hand-deckled edges. Signed by Shepard Fairey and NoNAME. Numbered edition of 50. Certificate of Authenticity Available Upon Request. $900. Available on Thursday, December 2nd @ 10 AM PDT at https://store.obeygiant.com. Max order: 1 per customer/household. International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery. ALL SALES FINAL.
