Artists pick sides in Vancouver's upcoming municipal election

by Jessica Werb on Oct 17, 2011 at 4:22 pm

The cultural sector isn't exactly known for getting super engaged politically when it comes to municipal elections.

In fact, here at the Straight we can't remember the last time a group of artists or creative workers came out to explicitly support one political party on the civic scene.

But there's a first for everything. Today marks the launch of webacktheJuiceman.ca, a website created by local artists and performers showing their support for Vision Vancouver and Mayor Gregor Robertson.

The site, paid for by Vision Vancouver, was created by local comedian Sean Devlin, whose Truthfool communications most notably created the popular ShitHarperDid.com site, which garnered plenty of attention during the last federal election.

The only thing on the Vision-friendly site at the moment is a video clip featuring owners of the Lido and Little Mountain Gallery professing their support for Vision and Councillor Heather Deal, and a notice about a timeraiser on October 24, where the people can bid on items created by local artists by offering to volunteer their time to Robertson's campaign.

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Comments (8) Add New Comment
Dan Clay
Oct 17, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I am an artist and I am supporting Tim Louis, who has an interest in artists, and studio space that works, and is affordable.
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GZLFB
Oct 17, 2011 at 6:27 pm
They do not speak for this artist, nor my father or mother also veterans. Or some who are pissed off the question of voting even comes up. Ask beyond lobbying groups.
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asdfe
Oct 17, 2011 at 6:49 pm
I guess that even if you decimate the arts and make rents and spaces unaffordable for artists, you can still con them into supporting your political party.
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dubgee
Oct 17, 2011 at 10:47 pm
If the artists support gregor robertson - why did Gregor pay for the site? (scroll down to the bottom of the website.)
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James G
Oct 18, 2011 at 1:05 pm
I find this article beyond strange.

Given that the site mentioned is paid for by Vision and that notation is clear for all to see, there is no story. Unless, of course, that story is "Vision is so desperate to pretend it's popularity is not quickly eroding that it will sponsor a site to falsify backing from artists!"

There is nothing new in powerful people becoming patrons of the arts but the wording of this article makes it seem more like something you would read in "Pyongyang Today". "Oh, Dear Leader, we have come together to show our love for you".

Surely, Vision knows the "Straight" is the organ most likely to stroke it yet it feeds the paper's reporter an obvious scam. It was up to the public posting comments to notice this and not the author or paper's editor? It looks to me like that stroking doesn't go both ways. Somebody is the total top in this relationship between The Straight and Vision and somebody is the total bottom. Sorry to be the one to say it but maybe it comes more easily from a friend?
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Jessica Werb
Oct 20, 2011 at 9:17 am
Yes, the site is paid for by Vision, but the point is these arts workers have chosen to publicly endorse a municipal political party. That people in the local arts community are doing so struck me as surprising, as in my experience, such public endorsements from the cultural sector are uncommon. This also shows the rising political clout of the arts community, as Vision is now overtly courting their votes with this campaign.
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Bodacious
Oct 21, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Since Harper won anyway, one questions how effective Vision's purchase of Sean Devlin is going to be.
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GZLFB
Oct 28, 2011 at 9:20 pm
There is no united "cultural sector" for anyone. I am in it, and I do not. For instance I doubt Devlin's libertarian comedian counterparts are agreeing with him. I doubt the ones I meet and work with and shake hands with or even signed my paper are bound to vote for me, him, or him or her. Some I talk to won't vote no matter what, some I have known in many art, entertainment, and humanities only to vote because I ran. I might be one of them, although the increase independent vigilance is more inspiring.
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