四、 It isn't meant to be a gloomy or creepy book. The images of Barack Obama with
strangely full lips and long lashes, or the weird morphing of his face and Lincoln's, or the
gal in the very short and saucy sweater dress she made that proclaims "My Jewish
Grandma is voting for Obama, is yours?" are all meant to be positive and inspiring, the
voice of a new generation of artists who feel empowered by the election of the 44th
president.
But there is something tremendously depressing about the recently published "Art for
Obama," a survey of images and sculpture produced in support of Obama's 2008 campaign
for president. The gloom sets in slowly, page after colorful page, slogan after inspiring
slogan. It is a catalogue of celebratory art, of smiles and hope and change, and somehow, it
leaves you with a hollow, panicky feeling in the gut.
The art itself raises many troubling questions. How closely should artists be aligned
with political power? Can they remain artists of substance and integrity if they are on the
inside of the halls of power? Can art be channeled by political leaders and remain
interesting art?
More fundamentally, however, is an even deeper question: What is the psychology
behind the new artistic mania for patriotism, once considered suspect or anathema by
many serious artists?（25 分）
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