Local Art Seen: Resist & Protect @ the Zeitgeist

Rise Up!, Stacie Renne, Mixed media

There came a moment in the early development of the Grateful Dead in which they had to choose whether to write songs with political messages or to create music outside of what was happening at the time, songs that were more timeless and less of a commentary on the era. After all, it was the Sixties and many San Francisco groups (Jefferson Airplane, for example) were becoming vocal about the war. The Dead chose to opt out.

I had a friend in college who likewise urged me to use my art talent for political purposes. I recall him saying to me on numerous occasions, "The artist is the vanguard of the revolution." Like the Dead I opted out. 

After last year's election, many local artists  have produced work propelled by an internal swirl to make political statements. The current November show at the Zeitgeist, Resist and Protect, is the product one such local response, artists united by a desire to make a statement, artists who have chosen to opt in.

Don't Drink the Water, Carla Hamilton. Photo print. Photo by Emanuel Eisele.

Making Waves, Lisa Kosmo. Acrylic on canvas.

To purchase artwork, contact Penny Perry @ Perry Framing, 216 E. Superior Street, Duluth.
perryframing (AT) aol dot com.

Earthlings, Ellen Sandbeck. Multi-colored scissors-cut papercut.

The Seventh Wave: Love, Susan Krochalk. Acrylic on canvas.

Repel and Replace, Penny Perry. Mixed media collage. 

Persistence, Susan Krochalk, Acrylic on canvas and canvas board.

Force of Nature, Kathryn E. Lenz. Acrylic on canvas. 

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.