Economics - Continued

Economics 101

'Corralled'

‘Corralled’ is a diptych (two panels) whose overall dimension is 96” wide by 61 ½ “ high when the two panels are mounted side by side on the wall. The left panel measures 49 ½ “ x 49 ½” while the right panel measures 43 ½” x 43 ½”. This is perhaps my most adventurous use of materials to date. It consists of astro-turf, Spanish moss and air dried clay that has been painted and coated with fifty-coat. I also placed some silk flowers in the two fields. The inspiration for this piece came back in November of 2008, from a Richard Dryfus interview. What moved me about that conversation was an interesting slant on contemporary American politics where there is a strong tendency to ‘identify’ with a ‘left’ or a right’. I felt compelled to make this image because of how it fit into the narrative I am piecing together, of awakening. There is a great danger of identifying with one group or the other because of a perception of how one group addresses a particular fear. For example, the fear of terror may drive many of us to ‘trust’ the party that is perceived to be strong. The fear of poverty may drive many of us to ‘trust’ the party that is perceived to be compassionate. It is this very fear to which I think individuals need to be awakened to. Acting on fear and throwing blind unquestioned faith behind one party or 'leader' is how freedom is lost, piece by piece until that which we fear most becomes reality. Larger versions of the individual panels may be seen on my main website – http://www.robertgirandola.com

Allentown Artist Guild - Guest Speaker