Hyperallergic
Sensitive to Art & its Discontents
With Donald Trump’s failure to win reelection officially confirmed (aside from in the minds of all but the criminally delusional, including Trump himself), it is time for DJT to start thinking about his legacy. Fortunately, the Donald J. Trump Library is already up and running, presenting a comprehensive overview of a man who defied every expectation about him, including those that foresaw him somehow being able to be a competent or dignified President of the United States.
The library, designed by an anonymous New York-based architect, has something to highlight all parts of DJT’s run in the Oval Office! There’s a COVID Memorial that gives visitors a quiet place to reflect on all the people who have died from the disease, promoted by disinformation campaigns, the oppositional-defiant disorder of his voting block, and of course, mistrust of science. I’m assuming mask-wearing will be optional in this area, as well as the partial graveyard planned for the roof garden. There’s also the Alt-Right Auditorium, which promises a stellar curated lineup of films, including Jud Süß, a 1940 Nazi German historical drama propaganda film, and 2-for-1 tickets of Birth of a Nation on White Supremacy Wednesday! I’m again assuming that between all planned programming, there will be a steady stream of breaking propaganda, lies, and nonsense courtesy of Fox News and Breitbart.
There are a number of permanent exhibitions planned, including the Wall of Criminality, Tax Evasion 101, and the Twitter Gallery, which canonize some of DJT’s most influential philosophies. There are lots of opportunities for visitors to stand in the shoes of our nation’s leaders, with the interactive exhibit Lie to America, which encourages everyone to practice presenting their own “alternative facts,” and the Replica West Wing, where everyone can take a moment to disgrace the lofty (if fundamentally flawed and racist) ideals upon which the nation was formed.
“Even from behind the legendary Resolute Desk, Donald Trump set new bars for all future presidents,” reads the curatorial statement. “You can rest assured, no matter how low they go, no one in all eternity will ever be able to sink this once great office any lower.” Oh, come now, what is the American Dream, if not the hope that future generations will go even further than those that have come before? Truly, if Trump has done little else, he’s proven that anyone can become President; exploit our system and sell it for parts; and still have time left for 285 days at the golf club (and counting)!
Of course, libraries are first and foremost about research, and the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library promises to be no exception. The library archive “Play the Prosecutor” offers a Criminal Records Room, where visitors can “do the research on how YOU would prosecute Trump’s crimes against humanity!” It’s a fitting tribute to the man’s legacy of negligence in all facets of his professional and personal existence. Of course, the facility will contain no reference desk, because fact-checking and annotations are unnecessary in this library, which, based on its inspiration, will be more of a lie-brary. God bless America!
Your list of must-see, fun, insightful, and very New York art events this month, including art made during the first stock market crash, a homage to feline friends, and the 10-year anniversary of a crucial public art initiative.
Astrid Dick was told that she could not paint stripes because Sean Scully and Frank Stella have done so before her, a patently foolish statement.
Hrag Vartanian, Hyperallergic’s editor-in-chief, is one of the guest jurors reviewing applications for the two-month residency in Utica, New York.
Paddy Johnson answers your questions about art fairs, visibility, and frustrating studio visits.
The 26th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival’s Philippines retrospective highlights early documentation of the country, local responses to the Marcos dictatorship, and contemporary work.
Hear a band of improvisers led by Rajna Swaminathan and a performance of Morton Feldman’s “For John Cage” in programs inspired by the exhibition, “New York: 1962-1964.”
The country music legend says the museum will be part of a “Dolly Center.”
Herzog and de Meuron’s design for the Museum of the 20th Century in Berlin has been accused of poor energy efficiency and called a “structural nightmare.”
An immersive film installation that explores the euphoric aspects of capitalism and the history of greed.
From residencies, fellowships, and workshops to grants, open calls, and commissions, our monthly list of opportunities for artists, writers, and art workers.
Looking for some holiday gift inspiration? We’ve got you covered with this roundup of accessories, games, and more that have been flying off the shelf this season.
SCAD’s booth at Design Miami/ features glazed tiles by alumni artists Nicolas Barrera, Lauren Clay, Gonzalo Hernandez, Cory Imig, Abel Macias, and Nikita Nagpal.
Plaintiff Cheri Pierson accuses the disgraced financier of a “brutal” sexual attack at the Manhattan mansion of Jeffrey Epstein.
At the heart of What if the Matriarchy Was Here All Along? is the idea that matriarchy never really died but rather has transformed.
Sarah Rose Sharp is a Detroit-based writer, activist, and multimedia artist. She has shown work in New York, Seattle, Columbus and Toledo, OH, and Detroit —… More by Sarah Rose Sharp
Hyperallergic is a forum for serious, playful, and radical thinking about art in the world today. Founded in 2009, Hyperallergic is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.