Meet The Man Behind The Obama Poster Phenomenon

Washington Post:

When the street artist and guerrilla marketer Shepard Fairey got word from the Obama people that they would welcome his contribution to the campaign, he knew what he wanted to create: a phenomenon.

All political art is propaganda (that is the point), but most political posters are bland, forgettable, wallpaper, like Fred Thompson on an off day. Fairey wanted something more iconic -- aspirational, inspirational -- and cool. In other words, he wanted to make posters that the cool cats would want. The 2008 Democratic primary season equivalent of the Che poster (with all that implies). More Mao, more right now. The kind of poster that might make its way onto dorm room walls of fanboys. The kind of poster that might sell on eBay, as a signed Fairey Obama recently did, for $5,900. He wanted his posters to go viral.

"I wanted strong. I wanted wise, but not intimidating," Fairey says of the look for his Obamas. The agitprop pop art has become a must-have accessory among a certain subset of the candidate's supporters, who have gobbled up more than 80,000 of Fairey's posters and 150,000 postcard-size stickers since Super Tuesday.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[lvogt]

I'm an Obama supporter and an Art Director. The poster is well done although I don't think it's appropriate in this context. It far too derivative of old east block propaganda art, especially the way the red is used, and sends the wrong message. I think the message is more about the artists tastes than Obama's message and that's bad in a campaign poster.

It's not bad to look at but completely wrong for Obama.

[dora rice]

it's all Obama. This is the poster of a red east block or south american socialist. The artists saw the revolutinair in Obama. It's not Amnerica, and it's not progress but moving in the wrong direction.

[devadasi]

DORA_RICE---sorry but your wrong. It's okay, but you know very little about art. The style is called Abstract Expressionism which originated in Europe. And the Poster is all American. Do you know anything about the American Revolution? We shouldn't be giving credit to the Soviet Union; they co-opted the style from Europe.

[Dewtrell]

I agree. These posters are all over Los Angeles and I just don't like them. Love Obama but the posters represent him in the wrong light.

[Tyrione]

What's ironic is the Art Style is taken directly from WWII and Nazi poster designs and Cuban 60s poster designs.

[havisham]

It's not "ironic" at all! When you hear people talk about "change' and "progress" without defining it, you should be extremely careful.

[don]

...or crying appeasement without knowing what Neville Chamberlain did and understanding how that differs from talking with adversaries.

[bikerdude]

Let me try to understand how this will make Senator Obama a better candidate or a stronger president. It's a little like Chimpy dressing up like a cowboy or pilot...

[killlthekingg]

Apparently obama is so amazing so 'eloquent' so cool that putting his face on paper is "art."

Obama & his supporters have turned the '08 election into an american idol type personality contest. Real CLEAR policy plans for the country & experence are no longer needed to run for office. Hey, if obama can do it than I should be able to as well.

[rmetz74]

Man, it just kills some people not to get their way. You sound like a teenager throwing a tantrum.

[devadasi]

BIKERDUDE: anyother ill informed, ignoramous who knows nothing about art. Please comment on subjects you have a handle on.

[Kingbreaker]

Speaking strictly as a part-time graphic designer, I think the poster is great. It's challenging and noteworthy, yet direct. Well done.

Yeah, the technique of flat colors in contour lines is not difficult. What is noteworthy is that the artist had the guts to do it in a way recalling all of those early 20th c. motifs - not just the Russians, but American propaganda too. Cool stuff.

[killlthekingg]

This one is nice:

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/4669/obamasnobxm8.gif

[hulkiest]

http://www.sodahead.com/poll/88883/

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

I fell like this is a movie were Obama is the antagonist, like in Robo Cop or better yet, The Manchurian Candidate... Everything Under Control

[meltingpot101]

Intense, I love it.

[whizkid]

Its creepy looking.

[SCG]

I was watching the pre- Los Angeles debate scene outside, on television, and noticed the Obama supporters had these brilliant, iconic posters. I thought Obama must have the most creative team behind him. I was instantly jealous of the west coast, and wanted one then and there!

[drzoon]

i was there. and i was upstairs later than evening... with about 100 or so of us... and he signed Victoria's poster... and he was a little surprised... and thought it was freaking cool.

if you have been to a rally or even in los angeles you have seen her banners and such that she sells

it is a LA phenom.... and not sure it works everywhere... but here we are used to the "edge" in this kind of media

[dezzertguy]

Yes very appropriate. It reminds one of the old communist posters. It is correct since Obama and the Dems are socialists. Wow, history repeats itself.

[CrankyCurmudgeon]

As a socialist I can only respond (even though I'm also an atheist) with "from your lips to God's ears." I only wish it were true. Most Democrats are still supporters of Capitalism, I'm afraid. They may be somewhat supportive of the creation of a safety net for those who circumstance does not favor, but they still believe in the concept of "Private Property"; not just in the micro, but also in the macro sense.

I happen to believe certain industrial sectors should be nationalized . . . say . . . for instance, the energy companies and the automotive industry, for a start. I don't think too many Democrats will go that far. Most Democrats are far more conservative than I.

[strifeknot]

Indeed. If Obama were even 1/10th the socialist these moronic Hillary and McCain supporters think he is, I'd vote for him in a heartbeat.

[kellygrrrl]

why on earth would you list yourself as a FAN of my name troll? (the 4 r's)

seriously, that fool is vile!!!!!!

[PioneerKing]

My Friends, it’s amazing that people who suck at the teat of America's social programs are always the ones to call democrats socialists or communists. Somehow these people think that childish name calling makes them relevant. However, these name callers don't have any problems with Halliburton/KBR screwing over our troops. They don’t care that republicans bail out failing corporations, savings and loan companies, allow corporate whoremongers from Countrywide, Enron, WorldCom … and the greedy on Wall Street to wreck havoc on our economy and be rewarded by being rescued by the government. Yet, the republicans big battle cries are "free market economy," “and only the republicans can be trusted to handle the economy.” The reality is that our national debt and the national deficit have skyrocketed under the republicans’ stewardship; while graft and corruption in government contracting has never been greater. The republicans are a bunch of hypocrites who have never practiced what they preach. Keep calling democrats and liberals socialist and communist at least they are not the dishonest pukes who lied about Iraq and sent America's sons and daughters to fight for a war that McCain says is all about oil
Name calling is a sign of immaturity from the most unpatriotic jackasses who don't seem to care that 5,000 soldiers have been killed and more than 60,000 soldiers have been grossly maimed in Iraq - a war that is based upon lies and distortions. Got to love that republican brand of dog food, My Friends!

[bikerdude]

And yet the Republican corporatists and super rich are the ones being subsidized/

[lvogt]

There are some things the private sector is simply not equipped for. The military, police, firefighters highways, and healthcare. We incentivize sickness. Of course there is a school of thought that says "I've got mine, you can lie in the street and die." but it works as poorly with a raging epidemic as a raging fire.

[rpence]

The article mentions something about Fred Thompson "on an off day."

Did that clown have any on days in his non-campaign?

The posters are brilliant, just like Obama.

[SadButWiser]

Yes you are right. He is not white therefore he is anti American.

[dana94591]

There is a fabulous mural of the poster on a building which housed the Obama headquarters here in downtown Houston. It is such an inspiration when I drive by it!

[bikerdude]

Did you feel the same way when you saw Chimpy in his flight suit?

[Jaxxon]

I bought 4 posters from Obama's site. They are absolutely beautiful pieces of work from a fine artist! I don't plan no selling any like many are doing on ebay. I'm giving them to family members and keeping one to frame. This is history I can hold onto and art I can admire forever and pass on to other generations.

[kellygrrrl]

you're very fortunate Jax! They went so fast it was ridiculous

[PatrickforO]

You mean they're gone?! No - I just heard about this today. There have got to be more - I'll go to Obama's site, maybe can back order. You've gotta admit, the guy's a brilliant marketer.