A conceptual multi-layered artwork on the United States' idea of democracy. Democracy means “the rule of people”. It is a system of government in which the citizens exercise power to elect representatives from among themselves to form a governing body. The uncertainty of outcomes is inherent in democracy, which makes all forces struggle repeatedly to realize their interest. Our broad individual interpretation of democracy adds another level of complexity to this piece. Democracy has rules that exhibit competition, challenges, skills, strength, and luck; in the negative case, the system is manipulated and unscrupulous.
I repurposed a 1969 Gottlieb & Co. pinball machine to exhibit this aesthetic. The playfield displays several core issues relative to the two extremes of our contemporary democracy: liberalism and conservatism. The playfield determined the number of core issues relative to the two extremes of our democracy: liberal and conservative.
Permanent collection of the Artemizia Foundation Contemporary Art Museum, Arizona.
