Shades of America is broken into multiple stages, with each piece adding together like a puzzle. The project builds an artistic record of our nation, using music videos, independent artists, and written essays. Made not from the corp. factories, Shades of America is constructed 100% independently. Therefore it is not censored by the governing powers that be. This project is constructed out of independent artists and people like you, whom believe that a new era of change is upon the horizon.
This is an integrated artistic campaign utilizing academic essays, mp3’s, music videos, photo journal, and a compilation reader of short articles from the American people themselves, see Voices of America (link). The conception of Shades of America was forged during the making of the Seven Strangers music video. It occurred to us, what if there were multiple music videos depicting key eras in American history? When each music video is viewed side by side a story would emerge giving the viewer an elevated point of view. It would be like connecting the dots of the actions over the last century.
Project Breakdown
There are nine eras that fall into three categories, past, present and future. Each era has a classification heading that depicts the focus of each section e.g. An American Reality, In to the Maw, and The American Renaissance. Within each heading three key terms are assigned to each era as the underlining theme for that period. For example the Seven Strangers music video is set in the wild west of the late 1890’s. A time when America appeared limitless reflecting an infinite bounty of resources to fuel expansionism. It was these initial beliefs that grew to levels of such gross misconduct that we have spoiled the air we breath, polluted the waters we drink, and created a system that profits from war. Excess is the theme that describes this era clearly. Nine music videos will be selected to represent one of the following eras , with each one assigned a unique thematic focus. see below.
Wild West 1890’s Excess
The Great Depression 1930’s Murder
World War II / The Cold War 1940’s Fear
Present – In to the maw
Civil Rights Movement / Vietnam War 1960’s War
Reagon / Bush Sr. 1980’s Domestic War Campaigns
Post 911 era / Pax Americana 2001 Alienated Ruling Class
Future – The American Renaissance
3rd American Revolution 2021 Awareness
Rise of the American Independent 2036 New Belief
Art, is a force of action and knowledge 2061 Prosperity
Following from the above outline, three phases were created to break apart the project. Each phase is responsible for completing a different section of the Shades of America time capsule.
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