This ad for Saks Fifth Avenue is bound to give the more idealistic Shepard Fairey fans reason to pause. Pimping the new Prez is one thing, but Saks is on another level. It’s unadulterated consumerism.
Eric Wilson of The New York Times, asked Fairey if his work could be “misunderstood as some sinister form of retail indoctrination.”
“Some people might think it could be making fun of what’s going on right now,” Mr. Fairey said. “But I think most people are sophisticated enough to realize it’s a way of grabbing attention. It’s commerce. I don’t think there is really any political statement embedded in this.”
Okay, but there is a political statement in an underground artist taking on this type of commission. I don’t have a problem with it, but I have unusual views about art and commerce.
[via Adrants]