British museums and merchants of death

This April 2018 video from London, England says about itself:

A colourful exploration of some dark times is currently on display at the Design Museum, with Hope To Nope: Graphics And Politics 2008 – 2018 looking back on the last decade in diplomacy.

The exhibition brings together slogans, protest boards, social media stats, video and artefacts, carefully curated to explore global oppression and how this leads to creative expression.

You’re almost tricked by how bright and positive it looks on face value, only to gaze slightly closer to see the real messages behind the slogans.

With the show focusing on such a recent period of history, you feel very much part of the ‘art’ and will recognise much of it, have been effected by it and have at least one of the T-shirts to show for it.

By Sam Tobin in Britain:

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Designer of Obama ‘HOPE’ poster condemns museum’s pandering to arms lobby

THE DESIGNER of an iconic poster of Barack Obama has become the latest artist to “unequivocally” condemn the Design Museum’s pandering to the arms trade.

US artist Shepard Fairey, who made the famous “HOPE” poster of Mr Obama during the 2008 presidential election, is among 38 artists to demand their work is taken down.

They are protesting against the west London museum’s controversial decision to host arms manufacturer Leonardo.

Ex-Finmeccanica. Finmeccanica/Leonardo; linked to corruption in India; and to corruption in Panama and convicted crooked Italian businessman and politician Berlusconi.

The museum is currently hosting an exhibition entitled “Hope to Nope”, featuring graphic design from recent major political movements, but also welcomed Leonardo during the notorious Farnborough Air Show, one of the world’s biggest arms fairs.

Artists called out the hypocrisy of the museum’s attempt to “celebrate the work of radical anti-corporate artists and activists, while quietly supporting and profiting from one of the most destructive and deadly industries in the world.”

Mr Fairey said he was “very disappointed” with the museum’s “poor judgement”.

He added: “I am waiting for an explanation from the Design Museum, but I unequivocally do not support their decision to do business with an arms manufacturer and, along with many of the other featured artists, I will be taking action.”

A Design Museum spokeswoman said the museum was “proud” of the Hope to Nope exhibition, adding: “Our existing fundraising policies are in line with those of our peers in the museum sector.”

But she said the museum was “undertaking a thorough review of its policies” and was “committing not to have any private event hires from defence, fossil fuels and tobacco companies while we undertake our policy review.”