Artists and Obama: Images+Technology = Votes

Obama posters by the Date Farmers (left) and The Mac (right)

My latest article about new media, technology and the U.S. presidential elections is now live as part of The Huffington Post's ground-level election coverage, OffTheBus.

A group of visual artists are mobilizing for Barack Obama, and his campaign has shown an appreciation for and understanding of artists, designers, and other creative types. In doing so, it has reached out to groups usually ignored by most presidential candidates (and most national-level politicians, in general).

A fascinating aspect of these artists' support of Obama is that they are sharing posters, t-shirts, buttons and prints that they've created using new media and technology — via Web sites and blogs — thereby attaining mass reach.

No matter who you support in this election, it's fascinating to see one way a candidate is building a voting base using Internet-based tools. To read more about this unique combination of art, technology and politics, click here. My article includes interviews with some of the artists and organizers behind these works, Web sites and online communities. It's getting interesting feedback and comments already; check it out — you may want to join in the conversation.

Related posts:

° It's time to get on "OffTheBus"
° Will the next U.S. President be a blogger?
° Politweets — Political expression, in 140 characters or less

UPDATE: This article is now cross-posted at techPresident. tP's motto is "How the candidates are using the Web, and how the Web is using them." If you're interested in tech and politics, 2008 is truly unlike any previous election year because of the Web, and techPresident is following it all. Put some time aside and get ready to read their relevant, timely site.

Comments

[yosi]

:)

i logged onto facebook today and looked over my friends list... one the first page of 25, 7 people were using Shepards HOPE image as their profile pics.... myspace is the same...

[KG]

Hi Yosi! It's so interesting to see how this continually goes viral. This Web-politics phenomenon is incredible. Please keep me posted on anything else you find. :)

[Mike Geraci]

KG -

Just a heads up that Sticker Robot has teamed up with Upper Playground and is producing the Obama posters in sticker/affordable format. Again, all proceeds go to the campaigns: Obama's and more new artist's efforts. stickerobot.com/obama.

[KG]

Mike — Thank you so much for the heads up! I will definitely check this out.

[sayen]

yeah, i mean...an art piece detailing his platforms. That seems a bit ludicrous.

[KG]

sayen — I guess we'll see what artists create going forward. People are still definitely inspired!