Poster For Obama Makes History

These are the words that fueled President Barack Obama's campaign. But who was responsible for the images that accompanied these words?

Shepard Fairey is the man behind what became a recognizable part of the Obama campaign. However, Fairey did not originally make these posters for the campaign; he made them merely because he was a supporter of Obama.

"It was created as a grassroots image with no direct connection to the Obama campaign or lobbying group or corporation or anybody with power. I sold 350 posters and rolled that money into making more posters," said Fairey in an interview with Dig, a Boston weekly entertainment magazine.

Not only were Fairey's posters a success, but as a result he was asked to do the official poster for the inauguration as well.

Even though this popularity was unintentional, the movie posters are seen by some as images that will stand out in our culture.

"I thought the poster added to the campaign and will be a huge image in pop culture," said senior David Jones. "I could see this image being put on t-shirts for a long time."

Regardless of how popular this image has become, not everyone is in support of Fairey's recent success.

Fairey is now being sued by the Associated Press for using a wire service photo, which, according to the AP, is copyright infringement.

Fairey is fighting back, saying that his use of the photo was fair and he did not violate any laws.

"The owners of intellectual property do deserve a level of protection, but we also need room in the law for intellectual growth and artistic expression," said Jon Walker, professor and chairman of the department of art and design. "I think it is a fantastic poster and expresses something that is not within the original photograph."

If Fairey is being sued for copyright infringement, then what about all the parodies that are being made in response to the Obama poster; don't these people violate copyright laws as well?

"If they believe they have a case, then they have 25 other works to sue over at http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/view/165211/1," said Walker. "All of these pieces are based on existing images as well."

This Web site displays the Obama poster, as well as 25 other posters, including others ranging from Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton, to singer/mess Amy Winehouse. However, this lawsuit is not stopping Fairey from continuing and displaying his work.

According to the Web site www.obeygiant.com Fairey's first solo art exhibition, "Supply and Demand," opened at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art on Feb. 6 and will run until Aug. 16.

Fairey is excited about the exhibition and said in the interview with Dig, "Hopefully it's empowering to people to see what's possible if you just spend the time and build on some very basic ideas and basic methods."

February 20, 2009