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“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” US Constitution Amendment 10 circa 1791

The Tenth Amendment, which makes explicit the idea that the federal government is limited only to the powers granted in the Constitution is generally recognized to be a truism.  Ultimately, this amendment gives power to the people.  If we want change, we make the change.  This prototype by c13 for the Manifest Hope Art Show hangs as my architecture firms bathroom mirror.  It is my daily reminder of this inate power that we, the people, possess.  It makes me think of what I want.

I want to develop the US into an independent nation where the individuals lifestyle is enriched.  I define independence as no more foreign oil, buildings and communities that power themselves, most efficient transportation of people and goods, and sustainable regional agriculture.  I define enriched lifestyle as one where all individuals have access to healthy food/water/air, economic stability, equality, and the time to enjoy family+friends and make a connection with creativity / nature.

What do you want?

The infamous Scot Lefavor’s Barack Obama for Change posters first seen at the Manifest Hope show at Andenken (now pasted up all over Denver) are available online via Scot’s website.  They’re 3-color screenprints on heavy-ass paper (Scot forgot to mention the stock…).   The run was pretty small, just 75 posters printers, and these suckers are movin’ fast so get on it, if you’re feelin’ em.  You can find ‘em HERE (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Our pal and architecturally driven design super hero, Mike Moore, founder of tres birds workshop recently conceived and then crushed a brilliant installation for the Manifest Hope Gallery exhibition atop Andenken.  The installation was constructed of reclaimed bicycle wheels,  aircraft cable, reflective glass micro-beads, and steel pipe and installed over a period of two days.  It’s amazing and so are Mike and his team.

Here’s a little bit on why tres birds created their piece and why they support Barack Obama,

- We want Barack Obama to lead America.
- We support ending our war with Iraq.
- We are working on reducing building and transportation energy use.
- We are grateful for the bicycle

“Wheels of H O P E”

The DNC had a lot to offer above and beyond politics. A lot of parties and concerts took place last week in Denver. On Wednesday I went to the free mid-afternoon Rage Against the Machine show that took place at the Denver Coliseum for Iraq Veterans Against the War. RAGE always puts on a great show but this has to be the best RAGE concerts I have seen to date. After the show the band led thousands of concert-goers in a “march for peace” to the Pepsi Center.

I headed over to the Manifest Hope Art Gallery after RAGE and met Shepard Fairey (who was extremely nice in person). That was really amazing.

Then Wednesday night I checked out the free Public Enemy show at the Boulder Theater. The original line up was in the house and they performed their historic album “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” from start to finish. Flavor Flav was on point.

Local Denver art legend, and close personal source of creative inspiration, Scot Lefavor had his paste-up mural outside Andenken during Manifest Hope featured on Juxtapoz.com today.  I didn’t notice any mention of Scot’s name,  so I’m callin’ it out now.  Nice work out there.  Way to run strong this week and represent.  It’s about fuckin’ time Scot’s work starts gettin’ seen.

The Manifest Hope Gallery opened to the press yesterday. The amount of amazing art is staggering and we HIGHLY recommend you get your butt down there.  The show opened to the public today and will be running until Wed.  The gallery unfortunately shuts down at 5pm so you’ll have to make it a day trip.

We’ve compiled a short preview of the show to get your ass motivated.  Check it out!

Getting our piece down to Andenken for the Manifest Hope Gallery exhibit, was quite possibly more difficult than designing and constructing it.  Somehow, through a great deal of planning and much energy expended it arrived safely.  The concept behind the piece was to present the first ten amendments, more commonly referred to as the Bill of Rights, in a new and contemporary manner.  While it is a bit of a hulking monster, we really felt that provoking interactivity was the key to awakening a general lack of awareness.  An awareness inherent to being American – knowing your rights.  George Bush has systematically stripped our rights away.  We’ve chosen to endorse Barack Obama as the man to keep them in check, restore what’s been lost and lead our nation into a new and prosperous future. We hope you like our concept.  And, if you know, and enjoy your rights – Vote for Obama this coming November.  Either way – stop by Manifest Hope and check out the unprecedented body of work created in honor of Mr. Obama.

The winners are in… MoveOn members entered over 1,200 paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and installations in the Manifest Hope contest in partnership with artist Shepard Fairey.   You can view all the work of the finalists here.  The winners were chosen by a panel of judges including, Shepard Fairey, Guggenheim contemporary art curator Nancy Spector, Denver Museum of Contemporary Art curator Cydney Payton, and recording artists Moby, DJ Spooky, and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.  A number of the winning pieces are on display at the Manifest Hope gallery.  If you’re in Denver, poke your head in there.  The gallery is open from 10am – 5pm Monday through Thursday of this week.

“Stars and Stripes” by Phil Fung of Miami, FL

The dynamic duo that is Josh Holland and Shannon Bonatakis activated their collective creative energy to manifest their contribution to Denver’s Manifest Hope Gallery exhibition.  These two can do no wrong when it comes to paint and brushes and the below piece, provoking a sense of both awe and discovery is a testament to their powers.  Having been in and out of the gallery a great deal over the past week, and witnessing all sorts of all-star art activity,  it’s been pretty amazing to see not only how well represented, but how high the level of execution is amongst our local Colorado contingent is.  The force is strong with us.

Kurt just showed up with our recontextualized, laser-etched rendition of the Bill of Rights… the final focal component of our Manifest Hope Gallery piece.  Homey killed it.  Shit’s tight.  We’re stoked.  Nice work Kurt!!!  Arghhhhhhh, we Can’t wait to see all the art down there.  According to reports from Lefavor (who’s nearly finished with his 7 huge, yep that’s 7 pieces – all roughly 4′ x 5′) – it’s pretty fuckin’ amazing.

…makin’ headway on our piece for Manifest Hope at Andenken.  Some sanding, a few more coats of catalyzed urethane, some machine work (Kluver on the mill) and then the laser.