As you may have heard, some graphic sleuths reverse engineered the now iconic and Smithsonian housed “HOPE” illustration that Shepard Fairey created for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and discovered that it was copied from a photograph taken by Associated Press employee Manny Garcia in 2006. Well the news disseminating wire service isn’t so happy about the infraction and decided to get all gangster on the infamous wheatpasting artist, by suing him, demanding “credit and compensation.” The AP is claiming copyright infringement while Fairey’s high profile lawyer says it’s protected under fair use statutes.
Not only does OBEY enhancing graphic designer Baxter Orr parody the artwork of Shepard Fairey, but like the controversial artist, he’s also decided to help prop up his presidential candidate, in this case, old man McCain. Orr licensed his Obama-DOPE design to the ring wing’s seller of swag AuthenticGOP.com. Basically he took the original image and slightly altered it to make way for this t-shirt design that now features the Democratic presidential candidate, but with the words NOPE plastered across the front. Unfortunately, the imagery doesn’t do the same justice as the cocaine nose encrusted one, and in all likelihood won’t help the Republican candidate—only a terrorist attack can do that at this point. Plus, regardless of the message, if someone sports a portrait of Obama on their chest, are they not just promoting his brand anyway? Side by side comparisons of the two images after the jump.
While some eager graphic designers, like Baxter Orr, like to take subtle jabs at Shepard Fairey, others go right for the jugular.This parody of the artist’s famed ‘Andre the Giant has a posse’ sticker was spotted in Philly and takes a shot at the man himself, depicting a stencil-like image of the propagandist. Chances are that this take down ain’t making the bootlegs section of the Obey site. |IHateAlex|
Photo: |LunaPark|
Shepard Fairey has created a monster. What began as a simple campaign poster for Barack Obama has evolved into a parody enabler. Baxter Orr peddled “DOPE,” and hell, even we offered up “POPE.” But it didn’t stop there. One artist took aim at Hillary with his wonderfully accurate “BITCH” print, while the neocons are turning up the heat, and Obama’s nose with their “SNOB” and “ARUGULA” images. The good news is that no one cares enough about McCain to even bother creating anything—except for this guy of course. |Kickcernak| Jockohomo|
Hate to say we told you so, but Shepard Fairey has just released an official statement owning up to the cease and desist notice that was sent to OBEY takedown artist Baxter Orr concerning this design. According to Shepard, Baxter has been involved in some “shady dealings” and reselling schemes of OBEY art on eBay. What that has to do with parody, Shepard only knows, but it seems awfully contradictory for an artist who’s made a name for himself by copying others to rail against another one that does the same. Read the full statement after the jump.
In an effort to quell any weekend rumor mongering and put the final nail in the coffin of street art conspiracy theorists, ANIMAL decided to post the full Cease and Desist, obviously this snippet wasn’t enough proof, that parody designer Baxter Orr received from Olivia Perches, Shepard Fairey’s Director of Finance—who by the way, still refuses to comment after more than a fair share of calls and emails. And you know that shit’s official when it comes branded with the OBEY Andre. Don’t act so surprised kids, corporations do this all the time, hell, Walmart tried to claim the smiley face. Thankfully, they lost. Now get over it and enjoy your weekend. |Previous|
(Click image for bigness)
Left: Baxter’s ‘Protect Yourself | Right: Shepard’s ‘OBEY Giant’
Self-professed ‘Propaganda Re-Engineer’ Baxter Orr is an Austin-based, 26-year-old freelance designer who has a penchant for making limited edition prints and parodying some of Shepard Fairey’s most iconic images from the Andre the Giant face to the pop artist’s most recent mainstream coup d’art: campaign posters for Obama. However, the artist that’s made quite a fortune by aggressively plagiarizing copying the works of others, is not so happy with the idea of Andre breathing through a SARS mask, and sent the young illustrator a cease & desist demanding he remove the “Protect Yourself” prints from his website, claiming it’s a clear copyright violation.
UPDATE: For you doubters and conspiracy theorists.
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