The film on Shepard Fairey was amazing. The most influential part of his story, in my opinion, was why he changed the Andre the Giant sticker to Obey. The fact that advertising is meant to 'persuade' us into thinking that we want what they are selling is exactly advertiser's M.O. Fairey takes the blinders off (or puts the glasses on like in the movie "They Live"), and expresses the simplicity of advertising with this piece of artwork. Almost every aspect of life nowadays is filled with nothing but cluttered messages and advertising to consume, obey, follow, and "stay asleep"; and Fairey exposes the reality so simplistically. His concept of taking one simple word and one simple picture and combining them into a powerful message that tells you the truth is amazing. I see his artwork as a breakthrough for graffiti artists and expressionists. His stories about coming up as an artist and just trying to show his views on politics, religion, government, and life are inspiring. I see him as a leader for those artist that don't fit into a mold of 'contemporary', 'modern', or 'pop'. He has opened the door for artists, and the eyes of the public.
Fairey creates a bridge between expressionism and pop art through Phenomenology. He describes Phenomenology as "an attempt to enable people to see clearly something that is right before their eyes but obscured; things that are so taken for granted that they are muted by abstract observation." His artwork portrays this idea perfectly and enlightens his viewers. I think Fairey will continue opening doors and leading art in a Phenomenological direction.
Fairy, Shepard. About "Manifesto." 1990. 25 October 2010. <http://obeygiant.com/contact>
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