President Obama brings out the best in everybody! (Well, almost everybody.) This is especially evident in the creative community. It’s no secret that visual artists have been particularly captivated by Obama’s message and visage. But they are not alone. It seems that writers, poets, composers and musicians have been inspired as well.
I was happy to hear “Praise Song for Day” read by poet Elizabeth Alexander during the inaugural ceremony yesterday. It wasn’t the strongest poem I’ve ever heard but she did take up the limitations of language itself — a worthy topic for any self-respecting poet. It certainly was stronger and more well-crafted than Maya Angelou’s poem for President Bill Clinton. But truthfully, no inaugural poet has surpassed Robert Frost’s presentation at John Kennedy’s inauguration.
On the other hand, the highlight of my day (besides seeing Sasha and Malia in their little J. Crew outfits) was hearing the exquisite new John Williams composition, “Air and Simple Gifts,” played by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero and Anthony McGill.
How might creative people express themselves, as part of the national dialogue, moving forward? One hint could be seen this past week in a Washington, DC, where MANIFESTHOPE: DC, an exhibit of artworks, addressed three of the Obama administration’s major concerns: health care reform, workers’ rights and the green economy.
Featured left: “U.S. Healthcare Just ILL” by Sharee Taylor of Atlanta GA.
To see some of the most impressive submissions, click here. Also, check out the www.obamaartreport.com for more creative Obama-related works.
bordertalksblog.com 
Did you see the piece in the Times that discussed the pre-taping of the Williams piece? The performers were playing along to their own recording, but their instruments weren’t being projected at all–their excuse was that it was too cold to take the chance at playing live! Regardless they were very good at “instrument-synching”!
Relatedly Aretha Franklin’s hat is causing a stir–I personally loved it (as well as her gospel version of “My Country Tis of Thee”–I truly heard freedom ring). ON Facebook, there’s a fan page for Aretha’s inauguration hat and it already has over 18,000 friends.
There’s talk that Obama might appoint an Arts czar that could be a cabinet position. I think we have to urge him to do so and resurrect/reform and re-fund the NEA.
I think it is only suiting that Aretha Franklin’s hat should have 18,000 admirers! There were some great hats at the inauguration, all worn by beautiful black women.
I certainly understand the pre-taping and syncing decision. As they were “playing” I was thinking to myself, How can they play in such cold weather? Isn’t this hurting their instruments? Why aren’t the instruments out of tune? What aren’t their fingers incapable of playing?
Now I know the answer.
I just discovered this blog; thanks for the post regarding my piece. It has been so inspiring lately to see the marriage of the creative community with politics. Hopefully all of this can be used for a good cause!
If you are any of your readers are interested I have copies of my print available for sale at http://staylor.bigcartel.com
P.S. I looooved Aretha’s hat!
I hope I’m not submitting this twice as the first time I tried to leave a comment it did not work.
peace, anyone know how i can get in touch with Sharee Taylor to cop an original of her universal healthcare piece?
preciate!
For those interested, Sharee has prints available for sale. Check out her site: http://staylor.bigcartel.com/
BordersTalk thanks for mentioning my piece. It was such a pleasure to be apart of the Manifest Hope experience. It is my hope that we continue to see the relationship between art and politics strengthened.