The song I chose to represent my social issue is Rise Against - Ready to Fall. This song may seem like it has nothing to do with my issue in particular, but it is about animal rights and the destruction of the planet. Animal rights is so broad, that I chose to narrow it down to the overpopulation and abandonment issue. No matter what aspect of abuse you're dealing with, it all ties back to destruction of our planet, and damage to those who inhabit it. The chorus goes as follows:
Now I'm standing on the rooftop
Now I'm standing on the rooftop ready to fall
I'm standing on the rooftop ready to fall
I'm think I'm at the edge now but I could be wrong
I'm standing on the rooftop ready to fall
I is mother nature, she is on the edge and can't take much more. She has had enough. We keep pushing her further and further with our actions, and we will not know how bad it is until it is too late. Or rather, we will not care until it is too late.
The art piece I chose was originally a photo taken by Clay Myers, and turned into an art piece by Shepard Fairey, best known for his street art clothing line, OBEY. It is pretty simple, but says a lot. It is a picture of a dog, who looks sad with the word adopt below it, in giant letters. This dog is just a symbol of the many animals who suffer abandonment, being killed, and abused and go unheard. Shepard is known for speaking up for victims of injustice, and the use of his style of art in this particular piece made it stand out to me. He used the same form he always uses, regardless of race or in this case, species. Dogs like this one, and many other animals housed in shelters, are victims of circumstance.
PART 2
Tim Mcilrath of Rise Against has been a vegan since the age of 18, which is when he became educated about the meat industry's practices. He believes that eating meat is inhumane, and that animals in captivity are robbed of their freedom. He chooses to integrate his beliefs in his lyrics to get his message across and fight against the abuse.
He has become educated on the issue and has decided to lead by example by refraining from eating meat. He is a vegan, and by doing this, he practices what he preaches. He stands up for what he believes it, and it is important enough for him to go public and educate others about it, He himself has done research about the meat industry and other forms of abuse.
The lyrics were written by the band. The music video gives the message a boost, as the lyrics may not easily be interpreted. The images may be too graphic for some viewers, but it reveals the reality of what we are doing to our planet and the animals who live here with us, He screams certain parts of the song, which shows emotion and the seriousness of the issue, It was played on radio stations such as KROQ, and draws the listener in to watch the video, which explains his point.
Shepard Fairey is the artist who created the picture of the dog. He s known for his art work both on the streets, and on the products he sells such as stickers, shirts, sweaters, and much more.
He is the creator of the OBEY brand. He is an activist an a humanitarian, and actively donates and creates art for groups and charities such as Chiapas Relief fund, Feeding America, and Adopt-a-Pet. His clothing is popular not only for it's looks, but for the messages the images portray.
I couldn't find much about how long it took to make this image, but it was made graphically. A photograph was taken and edited to get what it is now. The colors and the style stand out because this is his signature style. He uses this same style for all of his works, and when you see something in this artistic font, you know it is about rights being violated. It is about pain. It is about injustice, and doing something about it. You know Shepard was there.
Adopt - Obey Propaganda
Artist - Shepard Fairey & Photographer Clay Myers
http://www.obeyclothing.com/awareness/adopt-a-pet/
http://muttslikeme.adoptapet.com/get_image/
Rise Against - Ready to Fall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN2FrUUq-zI
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