A recent post on The Culturist about political art offerings this fall, such as a ballet based on Obama’s book The Audacity of Hope, has sparked a lot of conversation. Claudia La Rocco spoke on WNYC’s Morning Edition a few days ago (which you can listen to here) about current political art in NYC, and correctly pointed out that art is “often ambiguous” while politics is about “having a strong point of view”. That being said, political art can be dangerous territory, although I think Obamaerobics has been quite successful (and yes, that’s art!).
There are, of course, tons of political videos online (many humorous and others more serious), but I’m posting Hugh Atkins’ video that Claudia included in her post because, quite frankly, it’s brilliant.
Thanks for the shout out, Evan!
I’m curious, what is your gut reaction hearing about the Obama ballet?? I wonder if an Obamaerobics ballet will ever be made …
Hi Claudia,
I think an Obama ballet, like most political art, has the potential to be disastrous. I wonder if it will be very literal (perhaps someone playing the role of Obama at different stages of his life?) or more abstract. I’m tempted to go see it at the Joyce, but I’m a little afraid it’ll be utterly disappointing. Still deciding…
I’m not sure about an Obamaerobics ballet, but an aerobics video is coming soon! I’ll post it when it’s finished.
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?
In Stanley Kramer’s 1967 movie “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?”, a whirlwind romance by an interracial couple forced their families to confront their attitudes about race. The male love interest, and lead was a young NEGRO played by Sydney Portier. Matters were only further complicated by the fact that this was no stereotypical NEGRO. Smart, accomplished, ARTICULATE, polite, and sophisticated.
Well here we are some 40+ years later, and guess who may be coming to dinner?
Yup, another smart, accomplished, ARTICULATE, polite, and sophisticated Negro, accept today they’re called Black.
It seems America is in the midst of filming an updated version of that cinematic classic starring Barack Obama. This time around , however, the love interest is not a “white woman”, it’s THE WHITE HOUSE! And just like the parents in 1967, America is being forced to confront it’s racial attitudes (the one’s it supposedly doesn’t have).
You think Tilly had a fit when Sydney Portier’s character wanted to marry the sweet little white girl she had helped raise. Well Tilly honey, will likely piss in her panties when she sees who’s knocking at the front door of the white house.
Guess who’s coming to dinner now Tilly? “Hi, my name is Barack Obama.”
– TMNK (google me)
I know what you mean – an Obama ballet might be the kind of thing that is at its best as a glorious theoretical … but there is safety in numbers, right? Maybe we could all plan a field trip …
and yay aerobics video!