November 22, 2024

Civics

Art is a mirror to society. Artists and illustrators are holding up their view of the election results.

Shepard Fairey posted this work on his Instagram page in support of Trans Awareness Week. "I want to take a moment," he said, "to spotlight the need to love and support the LGBTQ community."

Shepard Fairey posted this work on his Instagram page in support of Trans Awareness Week. "I want to take a moment," he said, "to spotlight the need to love and support the LGBTQ community."

Shepard Fairey posted this work on his Instagram page in support of Trans Awareness Week. "I want to take a moment," he said, "to spotlight the need to love and support the LGBTQ community."

"Some might find it unproductive to dwell on the doom and gloom, but for many of the artists interviewed for this story, there is value in sitting with all of these feelings and capturing the mood of this moment before creating calls for action. 'It reminds people they’re not alone,' (illustrator Oliver) Jeffers says. 

“'I think there’s a place for artists to sit with discomfort, to capture the unfiltered emotions of our time, even if they feel bleak,' (art director and illustrator Jessica) Walsh says.

"Every artist has different methods of coping. Fairey, who created Barack Obama’s famous 'Hope' poster as well as Harris’s 'Forward' campaign, is adamant that the only value in the doom and gloom is if it serves as a 'wake-up call.' Because 'apathy lets the rust of bad ideas creep even further,' he says." - Elissaveta M. Brandon

ARTICLE: ‘All Those Feelings Rushed In’: Jessica Walsh, Shepard Fairey, and the Initial Art Response to Trump’s Win

Civics

A general blueprint for how any cooperative human group can function well

ARTICLE: Generalizing the Commons

Civics

Given libraries’ unique combination of broad accessibility, civic neutrality, and deep public trust, policymakers should embed them intentionally within health and social planning frameworks.

ARTICLE: How Public Libraries Help Build Healthy Communities

Civics

"Socialism has been as impossible to separate from the narrative of the nation’s history as the capitalist economy itself."

ESSAY: A Brief History of American Socialism

Civics

"Just keep moving forward, even if the steps are small.”

VIDEO: Kansas town goes green while rebuilding after devastating tornado.