PBS’s Articulate segment, “The Last Refuge” hails the uncompromisingly dissenting art of Michael D’Antuono and that of two other artists as patriotic. The piece celebrates the importance of the artist’s role in sparking social justice.
1 Painting Causes 4 Controversies
How much impact on can one piece of art have? Primarily through news clips, this video explores several controversies across the country in response to Michael D’Antuono’s provocative painting depicting the rampant racism that’s deeply embedded in our criminal justice system, “A Tale of Two Hoodies.” The video covers eBay’s banning of the piece when the artist attempted to auction it to benefit the Trayvon Martin Foundation in response to eBay allowing George Zimmerman’s to auction his painting for $100,000. The video also covers the firing of an Arizona high school social studies teacher over her including the piece in a final exam. Then the video takes us to Kentucky and Colorado where students were bullied to remove their homages to D’Antuono’s piece from public exhibition.
Beacon Independent Film Festival
I will be premiering my film, “BLACK INJUSTICE AMERICA” at the 5th Annual Beacon Independent Film Festival on September 17th in Beacon, NY. See the trailer here.
Starting on the 15th, they will screen features, shorts, documentaries and more. Panel discussions, food vendors, green space and activities for kids and adults will make it fun for the whole family. For more information visit http://beaconindiefilmfest.org/.
IT STOPS WITH COPS – Baltimore
Earlier in the week in Baltimore, we had had hired a 17 ft “It Stops With Cops” mobile billboard to go around the courthouse in hopes of convincing Officer Porter to testify all he knew. As the news of the Porter mistrial broke out, throngs of protesters held up “It Stops With Cops” posters and banners as they chanted for justice for Freddie Gray.
Michael Speaks on Activism & The Arts
Come join Michael at Worcester State University on Friday, April 17, 2015 for “A NIght of Activism and the Arts” where he will exhibit some of his best known paintings and speak about the impact art can have on social movements. This event is free and open to the public.