Donald Trump "POTUS Revealed" Wet Plate Collodion by Shane Balkowitsch
Trumps signed executive orders to approve the Keystone and Dakota Access Pipeline, on my birthday no less, January 24, 2017. Well this wet plate artist will not stand idly by without making an artistic statement. The shoot was immediately planned and the composition woke me from my sleep. It is an artist's responsibility to use his or her art for change. Kevin Tengesdal was very kind to model as our Commander in Chief in the spur of the moment.
"Art isn't for ovation but expression" per Kim Olson
My symbolism for the plate as described by Kevin himself -
Feather And Skull: Native American Oppression, Death of Native American Culture; Oil on Shirt: Destruction of Environment, Dirty Energy; American Flag: Zealous Patriotism; Money: Wall Street, Wealth Inequality; Tutu: Cancelling Arts & Culture; Mustache: Hitler, Totalitarianism; Crown: Self-Imposed Royalty, Privilege; Torn Leggings: Woman Issues, Men's Issues, LGBT Issues; Crotch: Grabbing America by the Balls, Grab Them By The Pussy; Necklace: Chains that Bind; Belly: Gluttony of America; Pinched Fingers: How Few Americans care.
"Tolerance by Oppression" with Sophie Landin in Wet Plate Collodion NO DAPL
"Tolerance by Oppression", Plate #3 in my No Dakota Access Pipeline Series. 8x10' black glass ambrotype in the wet plate collodion process of silver on glass. Sophie is holding so carefully her little glass of pure water.
http://www.cshagen.com/us-senator-calls-on-bia-to-clear-anti-dapl-camps/
"Death by Oil" with Darren Thompson in Wet Plate Collodion NO DAPL
"Death by Oil" with Darren Thompson, dedicated to the Dakota 38 and to my Native American friends who are trying to push back the Dakota Access Pipeline. I recently became aware of the historical fact that President Abraham Lincoln gave the order to execute 38 Native Americans a day after Christmas on December 26th, 1862 in Mankato Minnesota. To date, this is the largest mass execution ever performed in our nation's history.
It is important for us to know about the past so that we do not make the same mistakes or atrocities in the future.
I want to personally thank my new friend Darren for trusting my camera and lens with his likeness. It was by far the most emotional wet plate I have ever had the honor of making. Margaret Landin was also instrumental in helping behind the scenes making sure the Native American components were correct.
8x10" black glass ambrotype in the historic wet plate collodion process, Carl Zeiss Tessar 300mm lens, f4.5, 10 seconds of exposure.
United Tribes Technical College Pow Wow 2016 in Wet Plate
"Empowerment Through Unity", United Tribes Technical College Pow Wow 2016. The entire crowd raised their right hand in support of all Native Americans everywhere.
8x10" black glass ambrotype in the historic wet plate collodion process. This plate will be archived by the Historical Society of North Dakota for all time.
"Love Water, Not Oil" with Dale American Horse, Jr. Dakota Access Pipeline
"Love Water, Not Oil" with Dale Benjamin American Horse Jr., 8x10" black glass ambrotype in the wet plate collodion process.
The Standing Rock Sioux nation along with the support of many other tribes is attempting to push back the Dakota Access Pipeline here in North Dakota. Dale has been in the forefront of the resistance and made national news last week for his efforts.
Dale explained to me that "Mni Wiconi" means "Water is Life" and those words ring so true.