While many well-meaning yet admittedly helpless citizens are wringing their hands at the chaos caused by Trumpism and MAGA Nation, some are trying to find ways to display their opposition. Michael Prieve, an art director and creative director who began his career at Wieden+Kennedy, recently started kicking around a button project he’s calling PUBLIC INTEREST ARTS.
“The idea is to partner with artists to create pro-democracy content,” he says.
“Why artists?” he asks. “Support for and improving our democracy must take place in all corners of our communities.” As noted by art critic Jerry Saltz, “art can have a profound impact on society, acting as a reflection of our culture and a catalyst for change.”
I think most reading this column would agree that artists must play a role if their conscience demands it. But what can a button do to fight the Goliath at the gates?
Artist: Kenny Scharf
“The content will be pro-democracy and anti-authoritarian,” Prieve asserts. “We all need to speak up now in support of our freedoms. … The desire is to move beyond the digital sphere and into the physical world with messages presented, for example, on clothing, buttons, flags and on the sides of buildings.”
Sure, we’ve done this type of tiny agit-prop before (and before). But small attempts at building community have worked before (and before that). Every little action helps build larger movements.
Artist: Kenny Scharf
“How do we get these messages out into the real world?” Prieve asks. “Maybe by partnering with a nonprofit. Maybe by partnering with a brand. Maybe through funding by individual donors. Maybe by direct sales (here’s a link to a Shopify page showing a few examples).”
While Trump’s executive orders work their way through the courts, the nation and the world look to see what the opposition is capable of doing, no matter how small and grassroots.
Artist: Jim Evans
“I’m not under any illusion that this will make much of a difference,” Prieve says, “but I do know we need to be trying things while we still can.”
No truer words have ever been printed on a button.
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