Langelle Photography
– Artist’s Website –
Please share this documentary essay which emphasizes the importance of freedom of speech vs. state repression, and how ordinary objects were turned into an artistic display.
The seizure of computers and other office equipment by the FBI from Leslie James Pickering and Craig Rosebraugh’s residence was aimed at crippling the ELF Press Office.”
The primary mission of the FBI is to monitor and crush domestic political dissent. In the case of Pickering and Rosebraugh, the FBI failed miserably in its attempt to quash Leslie and Craig’s First Amendment rights. Both Leslie and Craig remain committed to the fight for political, social and economic justice.
– Michael Kuzma, Civil Rights attorney
Gallery Statement
Art means many different things to people
At the ¡Buen Vivir! Gallery what goes on display here aims to intersect the realms of art and the politics regarding the times we live.
Sometimes art should creatively communicate the reality hidden behind the propaganda encountered in or our daily surroundings and actions, where most communication is designed to sell you something that you probably do not need or designed to sell you something that makes you feel good about yourself: from McMansions to reality shows, to drugs and/or easy belief systems without no mental challenge.
We are proud to exhibit Returned Objects: A Multimedia Art Installation.
Art and Free Speech are intrinsically tied together. They are tools of communication. Fourteen years ago the FBI raided the Earth Liberation Front’s Press Office in Oregon and confiscated the press office’s communication equipment. The equipment seized by the FBI, along with related photography, news clips and Federal Agency documents are now on display here at the ¡Buen Vivir! Gallery.
A group of artists and activists have worked almost a month to turn a pile of office equipment seized from Burning Books co-owner Leslie James Pickering during the 2001 FBI raid into an installation highlighting free speech, art and state repression. In addition to the now released office equipment (still tagged as evidence), the show features censored government documents, photographs, first-hand accounts, original television news footage of the raid and more.
It is ludicrous and absurd that the FBI held these objects for fourteen years. If there were any incriminating evidence on the communication equipment, it would likely have been found very quickly. The FBI’s snatch, held fourteen years, was intended to squash free speech.
This exhibit is about art, the repression and liberation of free speech and maybe a subliminal or not so subliminal message. In a world where we see more and more potentially apocalyptic scenes, especially with the climate catastrophes that are happening daily, is this “civilization” and economic system pushing the inhabitants on Earth to the brink? Are we witnessing the beginning of art going full circle?
Probably the first forms of communication and art were cave paintings. If collapse becomes reality, whoever is left will find some way to communicate. It probably will be through art. Is it possible that the spirit of cave paintings will be the next form of communication and art?
– Orin Langelle, ¡Buen Vivir! Gallery Director, 15 July 2015
– See more at: http://photolangelle.org/2015/07/15/4065/#sthash.sX4TxNAn.dpuf