Recently, like many friends and heros, I find myself feeling more and more compelled to protest the changes that I see in this country.  This series of images originally were three separate concepts that were sort of related but were not intended to be a series. However, as my friends David, Null and I collaborated they seemed to come together a little more into a more cohesive idea, at least for me.   

The images with the helmet and the fish are an ironic statement about the hypocrisy of organized religion.  It is a little hard to see, but written on the helmet are the words "Jesus Loves You" and of course the fish is a well-known symbol that represents Jesus.  The bandages represent the injury that has been heaped upon our country, our environment, our relationships and particularly our youth in pursuit of God, Country and the almighty Dollar.  The image with David's shadow threatening a cowering Null was not the original plan but again it is amazing what can happen when three creatives get together!  The balloons are a salute to "99 Luftballons" a song written by Nena back in the early 1980s about how quickly innocence can turn to horror all in the name of nationalism, when men in power, itching to play with their deadly toys, also play with the lives of our children.  The flag image, for me, wraps it all up in a perfect bow.  The flag, held upside down, with Null's body language say exactly what I wanted to convey with these images.