_____shown @ ______

This Machine Kills______________

Fine Art Complex 1101
Dates: 11.5.2016 – 12.10.2016

Curated by: Ed Gomez, Luis G. Hernandez and April Lillard-Gomez

This Machine Kills _______ is a group exhibition examining works of art dealing with matters of protest, activism and propaganda relating to the 2016 presidential election. The show seeks to explore topics relevant in an election year, often propagated and exploited by news outlets and social media. Topics such as election fraud, terrorism, political corruption, economic insecurities, xenophobia and civil rights issues among many others are open to artistic interpretation and exploration.Participating Artists:

Mely Barragan (TJ) Cindy Santos Bravo (San Diego/LA) Gomez Bueno (LA) Temoc Camacho (Guadalajara) Robbie Conal (LA) Jeff Chabot (PHX) Sean Deckert (PHX/LA) Karla Diaz (LA) Victoria Delgadillo (LA) Veronica Duarte (LA) Cristian Franco (Guadalajara) Jason Gonzalez (Mesa) Olga Gutierrez (Guadalajara) Carlos Hernandez (LA) Luis G. Hernandez (SoCal/Mexicali) Julio Cesar Morales (Tempe, TJ) Ann Morton (PHX) Karl Petion (LA) Radio Healer (Mesa)

Daniel Ruanova (TJ) Christopher Vena (AZ)Film Screening by:

Karen Finley and Bruce Yonemoto (LA)The title of the show directly references American folk legend Woody Guthrie’s iconic guitar text “ This Machine Kills Fascists”, itself a protest piece recreting the musician’s leftist political views. The phrase has been repeatedly adapted by artists and activists, most recently by punk royalty Buzz Osborne of the Melvins for a 2014 solo album named “This Machine Kills Artists”. In 2012, journalist Andy Greenberg published a novel titled This Machine Kills Secrets: Julian Assange, the Cypherpunks, and their Fight to Empower Whistleblowers. A reference to the phrase has also been made in the post-apocalyptic themed video game Fallout 4 in which the words “WELL THIS MACHINE KILLS COMMIES” is etched into the side of a rifle. The title for this exhibition has been intentionally left incomplete, leaving interpretation open to the artist and/or viewer.Guthrie originally wrote the “patriotic” ballad “This Land is Your Land” as a social commentary on what he saw as fascism in America. He penned politically nuanced songs but generally sided with Communist ideals. His experiences during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era parallel what many citizens are experiencing in modern day America.“This Land is Your Land” contains often redacted lyrics containing references to borders and food lines for the poor. In an untitled song, he criticizes real estate magnate Fred Trump, the father of presidential candidate Donald Trump. The lyrics were written at a time when he himself was living in tenements owned by the elder Trump. Guthrie’s lyrics reflected his thoughts on Trump’s unethical business practices:

Beach Haven looks like heaven
Where no black ones come to roam!
No, no, no! Old Man Trump!
Old Beach Haven ain’t my home!

This Machine Kills_____ seeks to explore the relationship between art, music and politics during a volatile election cycle. Featuring artists from Arizona, California and Mexico, the exhibition utilizes the historically significant function of protest art as an opposition to technologically prolific forms of media. Most works will consist of propaganda style posters and prints, though there will be several types of media represented. The gallery will be screening a new film by artists Bruce Yonemoto and Karen Finley in conjunction with this exhibition.Opening night performances by Phoenix based art collective Radio Healer.

Galleries Director: Grant Vetter / fineartcomplex1101.com

http://fineartcomplex1101.com/past-exhibits/this-machine-kills___________________

This Machine Kills__________________ 

Opening: Saturday, November 5th, 7:00-10:00pm.

Artists in the show: 

Mely Barragan (TJ)
Cindy Santos Bravo (San Diego/LA)
Gomez Bueno (LA)
Temoc Camacho (Guadalajara)
Robbie Conal (LA)
Jeff Chabot (PHX)
Sean Deckert (PHX/LA)
Karla Diaz (LA)
Victoria Delgadillo (LA)
Veronica Duarte (LA)
Cristian Franco (Guadalajara)
Jason Gonzalez (Mesa)
Olga Gutierrez (Guadalajara)
Carlos Hernandez (LA)
Luis G. Hernandez (SoCal/Mexicali)
Julio Cesar Morales (Tempe, TJ)
Ann Morton (PHX)
Karl Petion (LA)
Radio Healer (Mesa)
Daniel Ruanova (TJ)
Christopher Vena (AZ)