The Republican National Convention (RNC) is coming to the Twin Cities, and along with it, a vast array of politically themed artistic activities. Translating Politics is a group exhibition that runs September 1 – 4 at the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis. The exhibit features work in painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, digital video and more, by 13 local artists who offer their perspectives on global politics.

Branko Gulin, a multimedia artist and former museum director and curator in Croatia, juried the show, asking artists to consider how politics affects social justice. “The mission of contemporary, independent artists is to challenge life’s reoccurring themes,” he said. “In this exhibition, the artists challenge politics while telling the truth about a historical or political event.”

Artists include Mary Bacon, Jack Dale, Pete Driessen, Robert Eichinger, Branko Gulin, Shawn  Holster, Barry McMahon, Zoran Mojsilov, Sonja Peterson, Monica Sheets, Eric Skoglund, Amy Toscani and Mark Wojahn. The exhibition runs from 1 – 9 p.m. in the third floor gallery of the Northrup King Building (1500 Jackson Street NE #332). Receptions are planned for each night of the exhibition, with invitations extended to local and national elected officials.

Translating Politics is sponsored by NEMAA (Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association), and is also a part of the UnConvention—a nonpartisan collective of citizens promoting democracy and exchanging ideas. For more information about Translating Politics, or to obtain high-resolution images, contact Nancy Sartor at 612-501-9479 or nankasar@visi.com . For more information about the UnConvention and adjunct activities scheduled during the RNC, visit www.theunconvention.com .

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Translating Politics

Statement by curator Branko Gulin

The language of politics and the language of art are two different languages.  In this exhibition thirteen local artists talk about politics and various political issues from different angles.  They talk about very familiar themes as well as those we are not questioning because the media is providing us with all the answers.  What can artists say about war, military-driven science, mass media, globalization, the global economy, democracy, the liberation of other countries, elections, etc.?  Why should they say anything about it?

Politicians and religious leaders throughout the ages knew about the power of art and the impact it can have on people.   For this reason the history of art includes its use as a tool meant to relate to people, an art that was not independent, but commissioned for specific purposes.

In modern times artistic practices have been liberated and many artists are convinced that the essence of their work lies in the defense of truth and humanity.  Revealing lies and inhumanity, the artist’s work in this sense is to question the status quo and to make everyone question it as well.

The mission of these contemporary, independent artists is to challenge life’s recurring themes.  In this exhibition these artists challenge politics and tell the truth about historical, military and political events and their consequences.