I’ve always had an interest in the way the civic world intersects the artistic world, and never is the merging of politics and art more prevalent in the United States than it is every four years when the incoming President takes the oath of office.  Incorporated into the ceremonies is an inaugural poet, a plethora of children’s choirs and celebrated musicians, dancers and other entertainers.  In times of celebration, we turn to the arts.  So this weekend I decided to stalk Etsy for the most interesting and unique pieces that address the politics of our time.  Follow me through the doors to our West Gallery and feast your eyes on our latest collection:

The Changing of the Guard: Inauguration 2009

This first find is a real gem for those (like this unabashed curator) who are into book arts.  Let’s face it; one can never have enough blank books.  Blackbird Letterpress makes these lovely pocket notebooks with recycled covers printed with many different designs.  For the purposes of this exhibit, of course, my faves are Abe and Barack:

For fans of mixed media, this next piece is something to dream of having on your mantle.  Fauxtograph has made a collage of pages from Obama’s memoir on a stretched canvas and painted an image of the man himself over the top.  The result is stunning:

I love the cleverness of the next item in our inaugural collection.  Who would have thought that a statement could be made with a luscious bath item?   Etsy seller katevw has created this “Inaugural Blend Bath-Not-Bomb” by combining Hawaiian red sea salt and organic African shea butter (among other wonderful ingredients) in a homage to the President-Elect.  My only complaint is that it might be too pretty to put into my bathwater:

Let’s not leave the kids out of the inaugural celebrations!  Combine playtime with a way to help them experience a bit of history with an Obama shadow puppet!  True story, folks.  Etsian toy makers Orange Moon Toys have put a sillouhette of the man on a stick:

This next piece froze me in my stalking tracks when I stumbled upon it in my Etsy travels.  Titled “Michelle,” this fine art photograph by brand new Etsian harmonyb gives us a close up of Barack’s hand on a podium as he speaks; the most salient image is, of course, the gold wedding ring on his left finger.  I love the way it looks him look both statesmanlike and vulnerable at the same time:

The final piece in today’s collection is an archival pigment print of a hand-tinted photographic transfer by Cherie Lester titled “Jefferson Monument With Cherry Blossoms.”  She has a number of stunning photographs from the Washington, D.C. area and is actually running an inauguration special on a set of four prints, this one included:

Hope you enjoyed our little walk through the nation’s capital.  Come back tomorrow for something extra special!  The doors to this museum, as you know, never close.

Until next time, my dear stalkers,

Curator Beatrice