Curators / Blair Wilson and Bethany Taylor

Election HEAD-quarters

Laurie Cinotto
Nina Frenkel
Tim Gabor
Mrs. Cinotto’s 2nd Grade Class of
Buffalo Elementary School, Buffalo, Iowa

November 7 – 24, 1996

Location / 82 University Street (Harbor Steps)

The impetus for Election HEAD-quarters was a sense of political apathy among young Seattle voters. We wanted to generate interest in the political process by presenting work that mirrored the diverse political viewpoints being tossed around prior to the 1996 presidential election. An exhibition of political work, juried by Bethany Taylor and Laurie Cinottom reflected such issues as gun control, war, immigration, religion, history, civil rights, feminism, apathy, and patriotism.

Blair Wilson organized a wall zine of 2-D Presidential HEAD(s), inherently reflecting a democratic process. It was a non-juried collaborative work: an alternative and all-inclusive gallery of presidents "real or imagined." Local artists, grandparents, K-12 schoolchildren, and anyone interested in the project re-imagined the presidency. Some portraits were critiques of past presidents or presidential candidates; others were alternative presidential portraits such as exalted images of mothers, fathers, grandparents, heroes, children, artists, and activists, among others.

In addition, local artists and writers contributed inaugural or campaign speeches, State of the Union addresses, "fireside chats", and poetry, much of which was performed at the opening. A very American aesthetic was adopted for the exhibition; a July 4th-style picnic atmosphere with red white and blue Jello desserts and decorations as well as tongue-in-cheek representation of a President John F. Kennedy picking his nose.

As a final addition to the November pre-election activities, SOIL hosted a taping of the well-established politically oriented public-access show– "Deface the Nation". The show was presented live at SOIL and aired shortly after on public television.

Text by Bethany Taylor & Blair Wilson