Hoodoo 'W'oodoo Parlor

As people across America ready themselves for the national September 24th protests against the Iraq war, the Gallery of Social and Political Art in Boston, Massachusetts, presents an exhibit titled What Is Freedom? The exhibit explores the theme of freedom and its shifting definitions, but the focus of the show is clearly Mr. Bush's imperial romp in the sands of Baghdad. Seventeen artists from across the US will be showing their artworks, including Jen Ryan, who according to the gallery, "uses toy soldiers to create images inspired by televised news coverage of Operation Iraqi freedom. The artist's work confronts the viewer with the idea that the realities of war are experienced by the majority of the public in a second-hand and surreal manner." Pip Brant is another participating artist whose interactive installation piece 'W'oodoo Parlor, turns out to be an evocatively timely work. Brant encourages the viewer to apply "curses" with pins to Bush look-alike voodoo dolls. With Bush's maladroit and inept handling of the hurricane smashed southern gulf states - the home to African American folk-magic traditions - I think there's going to be a whole lot of Hoodoo going on at this art show. The exhibit runs from September 11th until October 9th, 2005. The Opening Reception takes place on Sept. 10th, from 6 to 9:30 pm. The Gallery of Social and Political Art is located at 565 Boylston Street, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02116. Regular gallery hours are Saturday & Sunday, 2 to 6 pm. For more information, check the gallery's website, at: gspaboston.org