Arab millions ???? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???????? ???????Branded Jason Kay 2011 I observe America's vacuous consumption of advertising, corporate media, special-interest government and the obsession with the famous. These outlets work together with the goal of making the American public feel superior, encapsulated, and safe compared to the rest of the world. The majority of America lives in this illusion. It is such a deep-rooted program in our culture, it goes unnoticed. It silently undermines our society. In this installation I wanted to concentrate on these four outlets: advertising, media, government, and the idol obsession. I focused on extracting from a negative environment and showing its use as a positive force in an entirely different culture. Many citizens of the United States are unaware of the Sidi Bouzid Revolt that changed Tunisia forever. The catalyst of this revolution was 26 year old Mohamed Bouazizi. He was the sole financial provider in his extended family of eight. He operated a purportedly unlicensed fruit and vegetable cart for seven years in Sidi Bouzid, 190 miles south of Tunis. On December 17, 2010, a policewoman confiscated his cart, produce, and scale. Bouazizi tried to pay the 10 dinar fine (one day's wage equivalent to seven U.S. dollars) as he had done in the past. The policewoman responded by slapping him, spitting in his face, and insulting his deceased father. Bouazizi, humiliated, then went to the provincial headquarters in an attempt to complain to local officials. He was refused audience. Without alerting his family, at 11:30am, within an hour of the initial confrontation, Bouazizi returned to the provincial headquarters, doused himself with inflammable liquid and set himself on fire. Public outrage quickly grew from the incident leading to protests. This immolation and the subsequent violent response by the police to peaceful marchers caused riots the following day in Sidi Bouzid. Bouazizi died on January 4, 2011. On January 14, 2011, President Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali resigned and fled to Saudi Arabia ending his 23 years of power. This installation pays homage to Bouazizi. I am using a symbol and continuously repeating it giving it significance as a brand, American style, (from Martha Stewart to Hollywood stars to sports figures we idolize) with the intent to offer the public a chance to delve deeper and see what is happening on this planet beyond the cursory and numbing programming. Bouazizi is responsible for the collapse of the Tunisian government. The social media websites spoke the truth and continue to fan the flame for human justice. code pour embarquer la vidéo : >>> http://www.youtube.com/embed/P70yjixKFZo <<< |