The previous post was about the cohesiveness of the branding message on the Obama camp. This has allowed for the message to be easily picked up and used by others - whether to support Obama or themselves. It shows pretty clearly that Change sells.
The Capitalism of Hope
Support from large and small business has been amazing. Everyone wants to be a part of the movement that will change the course of our country's leadership - whether through belief in that movement or just wanting to say that they were a part of the historic event.
Take UncleBrutha, for example. Obama likes hot sauce (who doesn't?) and so Uncle Brutha decided to make The Audacity of Hot Sauce to raise money and support for Obama. Hot Sauce? Why not?
Or how about Ojamas? The Obama pajamas that help you sleep easier. (ok, cheesy line, but it was too easy to avoid.)
Numerous other sites exist too - artists, cafepress, and more. Some are donating the funds to the Obama campaign, but others are just capitalizing off the fervor for a new voice.
This might be proof that Obama isn't going to make us all socialists - his cohesive campaign branding incites hyper-capitalism in the people, and propels new entrepreneurs to get their hand in the action. Obama's campaign alone might stabilize the government.
Artistic Expression
I showcased some artistic support for Obama in my last post. However, the lengths to which artists are rallying their skills for Obama is expansive. Some of these are being picked up by the Barack Obama website and raising money, while others are raising awareness or giving quality design to people willing to share the art with others.
First, how about Design for Obama? Revisiting the era of propaganda posters, designers have put forth their efforts to do what they can to support the movement. From their site:
Design/ers for Obama was created when Design Observer essentially asked the question, “how can graphic designers best support Barack Obama?” Our answer ended up extending the question to cover visual communicators at all levels. In addition to supporting Obama for America we jumped at the opportunity to bring the spirit of grassroots style organizing and collaboration to poster design which, to us, meant not only forming communal bonds but sharing the fruits of our efforts equally and in such a way that anyone can enjoy and benefit from (because most of us do not own our own printing presses).
Again, it seems that the quality of branding and message of the Obama campaign has inspired widespread activism, and have people giving of themselves in ways they might not have considered before. In honor of this, I'll feature some of my favorite posters in my blog up until the election.
Other poster sites that have sprung up: 30 Reasons. Each day, a new poster is added to showcase reasons why you should vote for Barack Obama.
Perhaps Sketch For Change has something you'd be interested in.
A way to keep up on the Art being made for Obama? The Obama Art Report.
But the art isn't just for designers or serial artists. It's for everyone. For example, Spelling Change offers everyone an opportunity to create a letter for the website.
My local sewing co-op and fashion store, Fasten Collective, has WeHeartObama as their designer of the month.
Needless to say, the Obama campaign has been inspiring for artists everywhere.
DIY = the Unity of Grass Roots Action
I've also never seen so many people mobilized to take a symbol and make grass-roots creations, and then share them with others. In my own community, the organizer of Milwaukee Renaissance promoted an Art for Obama gathering where people came together to make Obama yard signs - homemade ways of expressing support.
Or you could organize a Yes We Carveparty and carve pumpkins with various logos, mottoes and other Obama supporting messages. Patterns are provided at the website, along with instructions, and an opportunity to join a contest.
Want to wear your own support? How about a knitting pattern for the logo? Like to see the results?
Many of these items are described in the Obama Craft Project. Which includes a post(complete with video) on how to create your own Obama pin. DIY or DIE features some Barack Obama jewelry on Etsy and other places.
In the spirit of FreeCycle, there's an ObamaCycle - a way to get Obama gear into the hands of people who want it but can't afford it.
It must be true that this campaign has organized more people than has been seen for a long time. Either people are really tired of the same political ways - which McCain seems to represent to them - or they really believe in the Obama message.
Either way, it seems to point towards greater unity for all.
(originally posted at Exponential)
At an early stage:
Go to the site for more information: Piecemakers for change
Okay, it is a stretch to make this an environmental posting, but quilts do keep you warm. This project also demonstrates the power of netroots, so perhaps it has economic significance as well.
I am, in my everyday life, a ceramic, metal and fiber artist. I have enjoyed finding ways to combine my interests (making shawl pins in bronze with ceramic accent beads, for example) in new and challenging ways. Recently, I began using my miniature potter's wheel to make wheel thrown spindle whorls for spinning. Once thrown, the whorls are decorated with carving and then fired/glazed/fired again before being placed on a shaft. So, what does this have to do with Obama?
