KRISTEN GALVIN PROJECTS |
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Death Records (clip 1 min.) 2008, performance, color video with sound, 6:45 min. loop After the September 11th attacks, Texas-based Clear Channel Communications, Inc., the largest owner of American Radio stations, issued a “suggested ban” on 166 songs that metaphorically referred to the tragic events. Curiously enough, Clear Channel also listed songs of peace and healing, and every song recorded by the band Rage Against the Machine, known for their leftist politics and lyrics of social injustice. A question of public sensitivity was quickly spun into an opportunity to censor voices of political dissent and peace. The ineffective ban demonstrates the pure arrogance of censorship of free speech, media manipulation, and the gross re-assignment of meaning when big business merges with politics. Death Records is a performative re-mix of 21 “banned” songs, chosen for variety of metaphorical reference.
Performance selections:
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