Poster Offensive 4

If you think back to the sophisticated décor of your college dorm room, you probably had at least one sweet-ass poster taped to your wall. Maybe it was the "Periodic Table of Mixology," or it might have been the one with John Belushi in his COLLEGE sweater, a poster of Bob Marley smoking a joint, or even a picture of a bikini-clad chick (and let me you tell you guys, when you put stuff like that on your wall, it attracts women to your room like ants to juice, right?). But what about posters for grown ups? What about posters that are artsy, unique, and eye-catching enough to attract creative types over 25? What about posters that make you think beyond images that are shorthand pop-culture references? Set to coincide with the Republican National Convention, participants of Poster Offensive 4 were asked to take politics and political expression into consideration when designing images for the show. Posters past and present have been used to push political dissent, disseminate information, and serve as a form of peaceful protest, and this show promises to follow that vein. Local artists include Miss Amy Jo, Jeff Johnson, and members of Aesthetic Apparatus, Eighthourday, Landland, and Studio On Fire, to name only a few from the list of exhibitors. The show opens this Friday, with a fundraiser for the appropriately titled (but perhaps not so succinct) Coalition to March on the RNC and Stop the War, a group that plans to march and demonstrate in downtown St. Paul during the convention. Silent auction, art, and food can be enjoyed for a $10 suggested donation at 7 p.m. Friday, August 15. Another public reception for the poster show will feature live music two weeks later at 5 p.m. Friday, August 29.
Aug. 15-Sept. 15, 2008