SERIES NARRATIVE

For many in the working group that form around Red76 over its fifteen year history, notions of "revolution" and its histories and characteristics played an outsized role. As the Bush years reached their zenith the possibility of any substantive systemic transformation in America seemed reserved for car advertisements and the growing inescapability of the early years of so-called social media.

It was within this vein that the group began Revolutionary Spirit, a two year series of interlinking projects that looked at both America's historical and theoretical associations with revolution and its affects as well as the America as it was in the moment; its openings, powder kegs, and possibilities.

The project began with a cross country road trip taken by Sam Gould, visiting "spectral landscapes," sites of social upheaval devoid of plaque or monument, to see what residue may be left to glean and began to come to a close in the old officer's lounge of the Park Avenue Armory the first week of the 2008 financial crisis where the group set up an "anarchist newsroom," hosting conversations, writing copy, promoting lectures on anything from the Stoic philosophers with Adam Kleinman and the Bush era surveillance state with Marisa Jahn.

COMMENTARY

Original Project Text:

"What does Revolution mean to America today? What has it ever meant? We live in a country founded on revolutionary thought and action, yet when we aim to define the term, and its presence in contemporary society, where does it lead us? If asked to talk about revolutionary action or revolutionary thought in the US today most Americans might tell you revolutions happen elsewhere, or that revolution no longer exists, it’s a joke, old hat, a thing of the past. In its place our current revolutions consist of advertising, and technology; the revolutionary new iPhone, or Chevy, whose cars and trucks, according to their ad campaign are "An American Revolution." Our very beginnings have been laid waste by branding. As a word "Revolution" in America today is suspect, and rightfully so. Words are no longer ours, and haven't been for sometime. Jerry Rubin wrote in his book, "Do It," (published long before Nike ever caught up to the Yippie's),

"Nobody really communicates with words anymore. Words have lost their emotional impact, intimacy, ability to shock and make love. Language prevents communication. 'Cars Love Shell,' how can I say, 'I love you,' after hearing 'Cars Love Shell.'"

We must admit, this is nothing new. In some circles it is thought that our love of liberty has been in decline for quite some time now. We're not sure we agree. But we are worried. We are. So now, if we can agree, that the word that brought our country into existence is dead, pumped full of irony like so much formaldehyde, how do we recognize true action, movement, and political life? The type of action and consciousness that affects both policy and heart. Where does this situation leave us when it comes to affecting real action in our communities, and within our country as a whole? If we cannot be moved towards revulsion, or revelation, or if we are divorced from understanding the effect our lives, voices, and actions have within the world that surrounds us, how will we progress as a people? For revolutionary action to occur, change must take place through a union of self-revelation and purpose. How do we find the means to link these two possibilities when they both seem so distant?

For the immediate future we want us all to ask these questions of ourselves - in public and in private space. How do we define revolutionary character? How do we encounter revolutionary thought and action within the everyday? What steps can we take to bring about revolutionary gestures within each of our lives (however large, however small, a gesture that might be)? We wish to consider these thoughts through actions that provoke thought, laughter, anger, joy, and ecstasy. We needn't evoke "the word," we should invoke it. Please take the time to consider these questions - with regard to yourself, as well as your surroundings. Please take the time to join us in this discussion."

DOCUMENTS

COLOPHON

Lead Editor: Sam Gould
Co-Editor: Gabriel Saloman
Collaborators: Mike Wolf, Dan S. Wang, Aaron Hughes, Zeffrey Throwell, Courtney Dailey, Adam Kleinman, Dylan Gauthier, Lee Montgomery, Tara Jane O'Neil, James Voorhies and many others

Collaborating Institutions: Reed College Cooley Gallery, Institute for Contemporary Art - Philadelphia, Creative Time, The Cooper Union, Printed Matter, California College of the Arts, Columbus College of Art & Design