Dallas in November, Digital, 2012, Joshua Hunt

04.25.2012. This post is an extension of the "White House Goes Pop" article I posted last week. This installation features a mug shot portrait of Presidential assassination suspect Lee Harvey Oswald and Oswald's assassin Jack Ruby. This image juxtaposes the two individuals next to one another in homage to their infamous connection.

The alteration and combination of both Oswald's and Ruby's mug shots is in reference to each individuals similarities and differences.  Both men are allegedly considered assassins; if Oswald was in fact the lone shooter in the School Book Depository his act would have been surely premeditated where as Ruby's attempt on Oswald’s life is seen more as an act of passion considering his devotion to President Kennedy.

I do not consider myself a conspiracy theorist by any means but I do believe that if Ruby did not kill Oswald two days after he was arrested for Kennedy's assassination, a lot of mystery surrounding this controversy would be answered. but the fact remains that these two had an impact (however chilling, tragic, or accidental) upon American history.  Captured in a pop style composition, this image referes to the consumerism and of the assassin figure: those of the past and future may vary in thier act, motivation, and personhood but will ultimately remain same as their counterparts (mere duplicates).

Little Boy, Fat Man (Harry Truman), Digital, 2012, Joshua Hunt

04.04.2012. In this installment I compiled a portrait of the 33rd President of the United States of America, Harry S. Truman.  President Truman was sworn into office as Franklin Roosevelt's Vice President as he has passed away slightly after the beginning of his 4th term in office. After Roosevelt's death in April 1945, Truman stated "I felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me," considering he had assumed the presidency in the high time of WWII.  Slightly after taking office the Germans declared their surrender on May 7, 1945 and America's focus was set on defeating Japan to bring conclusion to the most devastating conflict ever seen- the means of victory would forever change the world. 

The atomic bombing of Hiroshima occurred on August 6, 1945. After news of the bombing began to spread a Japanese radio announcer described the devastation as, "practically all living things, human and animal, were literally seared to death." After receiving no surrender or other notice from Japanese officials, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb over Nagasaki on August 9. Casualties of these attacks ranged from 90,000–166,000 killed in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 killed in Nagasaki. During the bombings Truman stated, "If they do not now accept our terms, they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth." Japan surrendered on August 14, 1945.

As most know the justification of the bombings was to avoid a land invasion of Japan which would cost insurmountable causalities. This was a Trolley problem on a global scale, and ultimately it came down to President Truman's authorization to destroy many lives in hopes to save even more. On August 9th Presdent Trument commented on the bombing of Nagasaki, "I realize the tragic significance of the atomic bomb... It is an awful responsibility which has come to us." So where does Truman stand as a result of his position and actions- a patriot, mass murderer, a peacemaker, a coward, a great man? The answer is more complex than a black or white, right or wrong, ethical or immoral.

A man who was defined by these catastophies and the conquences that resulted from his decisions, Truman wrote later in life, "I knew what I was doing when I stopped the war ... I have no regrets and, under the same circumstances, I would do it again."

Motionless Claim for Attrition (Woodrow Wilson), Digital, 2012, Joshua Hunt

Our 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, is regarded as one of our countries greatest leaders. in this depiction, "Motionless Claim for Attrition," Wilson memorialized for his leadership in as President during WWI.  an image of Wilson in his youth and another in his Presidency make up the central figure.  Below the President include several soldiers which represent the forces that went to Europe to stop the efforts of the Central Powers during the Great War. The younger Wilson is fitted with Uncle Sam's hat which represents Wilson himself as urging Americans to join the War effort.

Also in the low center of the image there is a canon which is firing an explosive round which is seen behind Wilson's head.  The cannon is a symbol for Wilson's reputation as being a Wartime leader as well as indicating the changes in warfare technology that were seen after the industry revolution.

Still Dead and Breathing (The Beatles), Digital, 2012, Joshua Hunt

If you me well you would know that I have a special fondness for the music of the Beatles. In the past I have created works influenced and subjecting the bands members and songs. When I was 18 I sat in my dorm listening to my record Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on loop as I made a drawing of the highlights of each song to create a pictorial album on a piece of cardboard. A few years later at 23 I created grayscales of both a collage using paint, song lyrics, and images to capture the Mark David Chapman assassination of John Lennon as well as an allegorical triptych painting on paper of Lennon's life.

John, Mark, and Julia, Acrylic and Paper Collage, 2010, Joshua Hunt

Though I haven't used a Beatles theme in my art for since early 2010, the subject seemed fitting as I pursued the idea of pop icons.  The Beatles are debatably the most influential band that has defined popular music today.  Since their rise to popularity the band members’ lives have been in spotlight of the public's eye. Due to the bands unmatched success in music the legendary members are sometimes seen more as gods than actual people: untouchable and only to be witnessed during musical prophecies accompanied by an epic narrative. The digital depiction of the band "Still Dead and Breathing" includes the four Beatles as seen on the 1970 "Let It Be" album with each members childhood photo superimposed. I included the childhood photos to signify each member’s life before and after stardom. The superimposed effect notes the members as men (in this case as children) but does not necessarily distinguish them as not being legendary, iconic, or god-like.

The color symbolism in the work identifies the bands British roots and American influence, but more importantly notes the status of each member. The deceased members of the band, Harrison and Lennon, are cast in red whereas the currently living members, Starr and McCartney, are cast in blue. Though red is the color of blood and blue is often associated with loyalty, there is no major difference in why I chose blue and red to symbolize life vs. death, the colors were chosen primary on patriotic claims. Anyway, I am giving away my secrets and possibility my angst, Enjoy this work for all it's worth!

Cloud 9 Logo, Pencil/ Digital, 2012, Joshua Hunt

Introducing the self-proclaimed raddest/ hippest logo you'll find this side of the Mississippi. It now belongs to my friends at Hearanow Records with their "Live from Cloud 9" project. Hearanow Records emerged in 2012 as a non-traditional music label that promotes live music from across the Upper Midwest. Hearanow and the venue Cloud 9 based out of Winona, WI have been working closely together to bring bands from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and beyond to record live shows and make them available to the masses online. to learn more about Hearanow Records and Live from Cloud 9 please visit hearanow.com and check out the WWSP Club Wisconsin interview on this DIY label's initial pursuits.

Exalt / Abase, Colored Pencil, 2012, Joshua Hunt

02.27.2012-Take a look at this picture and  describe how you perceive the person in this image. Is the man looking up into the sky with his arms behind himself or is he twisted about looking down toward the ground as his arms are enclosing around him? This drawing, “Exalt / Abase,” is my version of a psychiatric ink blot test with the reasoning that an esteemed individual will have seen the man looking up toward the sky whereas the more withdrawn person would have seen the man looking toward the right side of the page at the ground. This drawing represents our challenge as humans to capture enlightenment and meaning in our lives- So again is your glass half full or half empty?

On a side note I am headed off to New York this Friday (03.02.2012) for the first time to have fun, make connections, and get a chance to see the greatest works of yesterday and today in hopes to help kick start my art career's aspirations. While I am in New York I plan on at least attending exhibitions at some of New York’s most respected galleries, the opening week for the Whitney Biennial, the Armory Show, The Metropolitan Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art. I hope to document my New York experience with a review or two and/ or a couple of drawings while I am out there- Please stay tuned for my upcoming updates- Bon Voyage!

Hearanow Records Logo, Pencil and Pen, 2012, Joshua Hunt

The newly founded music label, Hearanow Records, based out of Northeast Wisconsin and Cloud Nine Studio in Winona, MN asked me to construct a logo to represent their new company. I put my skills to the test and created this geometric based design that consists of an altered hearing device with a sound plug coming out one end superimposed over a vinyl. Thanks again to the guys at Hearanow Records and best of with their upcoming recordings and shows at Cloud Nine Studio.

The day has come that I have finally graduated college and am now bound for bigger and better things. Last Thursday (1.19.12) marked my last day of student teaching which leaves me open to take on new projects, commissions, and other exciting endevors. I want to note that I learned a great deal from my experience within my time at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The way I go about making art has been largely influenced by UWM faculty, students, and the Milwaukee community. I plan to use the knowledge I've gained at UWM in all of my future artistic, educational, and occupational pursuits.

I want to thank all of everybody (family and friends) who supported me me along the way. Graduating college means a great deal to me: my deepest graditude goes out to you. 

Here I leave you an image of a mosaic project that 8th graders at Thomas Jefferson Middle School completed as a part of a lesson I lead during my student teaching.  These students are graduating themselves this year, but as they are going off to high school this mural will be left behind as their mark for the future students of TJMS.