For the past several years the organization I work for, the Drug Policy Alliance, has hosted an art event that has connected the world of art to the drug policy world. Few public policies have undermined fundamental civil rights and liberties, social justice, and public health for so long and to such an extent as the drug war.
Following three successful events in New York, re:FORM Los Angeles represents the first event of its kind on the West Coast. This year's signature art event is co-chaired by Code Pink activist Jodie Evans, filmmaker Gus Van Sant, and artist Ed Ruscha, at Honor Fraser Gallery in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 10, 2011. The re:FORM event is inspired by artists who have used art as a vehicle for social change.
Contributing artists include Steve Burtch, Philip Argent, Jane Callister, Squeak Carnwath, Frank Gehry, Alexandra Grant, Seonna Hong, Gegam Kacherian, Simone Lueck, David McDonald, Ed Moses, Richard Ross, Steve Roden, Ed Ruscha, Kenny Scharf, Aaron Smith, George Stoll and Lawrence Weiner, along with myself and 70 other artists.
The Drug Policy Alliance has been working in California for nearly fourteen years, attempting to roll back the excesses of the drug war. The U.S. now has the highest incarceration rate in the world -- one adult American out of every 100 is currently behind bars. Representing less than five percent of the world's population, the U.S. holds close to 25 percent of the world's incarcerated population.
More than half a million people are behind bars for nothing more than nonviolent drug law violations. Over 750,000 Americans were arrested last year for simple marijuana possession alone. The drug war even targets sick and dying Americans, thousands of whom are regularly denied access to medical marijuana despite its potential medical benefits for the treatment of a wide range of serious illnesses and conditions.
For more information and to see the art online please go to the Drug Policy Alliance event website.