Kirsten Swenson
@kirieswenson.bsky.social
Art historian—because all art is politics
The alt text says it all: “a line of heavily armed federal agents in riot gear standing in a field surrounded by tomato plants.” People working hard jobs that bring food to our tables are being kidnapped and terrorized on the job. It’s racism with the intent to destroy California’s economy.
The UFW can confirm farm workers were critically injured yesterday during chaotic raids in Ventura County, CA. Other workers, including US citizens, remain unaccounted for.
UFW staff is on the ground supporting impacted families.
Our full statement below. ⬇️
1/
UFW staff is on the ground supporting impacted families.
Our full statement below. ⬇️
1/
July 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The alt text says it all: “a line of heavily armed federal agents in riot gear standing in a field surrounded by tomato plants.” People working hard jobs that bring food to our tables are being kidnapped and terrorized on the job. It’s racism with the intent to destroy California’s economy.
Barbara Kruger asks the right questions
Barbara Kruger mural on MOCA's Temporary Contemporary (1990–92)
Barbara Kruger "Untitled (Questions)", 1989-90. On view from June 29, 1990 – July 1992 on the south wall of the Temporary Contemporary, MOCA, Los Angeles. Photo courtesy Rizzoli, New York.
eastofborneo.org
June 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Barbara Kruger asks the right questions
Reposted by Kirsten Swenson
“.. reminiscent of portraits of leaders hanging from public buildings, often seen in dictatorships, monarchies, and in descriptions in George Orwell’s 1984 of ‘Big Brother.’”
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
May 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
“.. reminiscent of portraits of leaders hanging from public buildings, often seen in dictatorships, monarchies, and in descriptions in George Orwell’s 1984 of ‘Big Brother.’”
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
@the-independent.com
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Over the past decade Mark Bradford, Simone Leigh, Jeffrey Gibson, and Martin Puryear occupied that Jeffersonian space—the “mini Monticello” that is the American pavilion—with complex, beautiful institutional critiques of America. Now we can look forward to authoritarian aesthetics in their place.
US Government Calls for Venice Biennale Proposals Focused on “American Values”
The newly opened grant portal for the United States pavilion features updated Trumpian language and a shortened timeline for applications.
hyperallergic.com
May 6, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Over the past decade Mark Bradford, Simone Leigh, Jeffrey Gibson, and Martin Puryear occupied that Jeffersonian space—the “mini Monticello” that is the American pavilion—with complex, beautiful institutional critiques of America. Now we can look forward to authoritarian aesthetics in their place.
Reposted by Kirsten Swenson
Missing grant money? Found it! It looks like the remaining grant funds for FY2025 have been reallocated here.
We have nothing good to say about this.
www.neh.gov/news/neh-ann...
We have nothing good to say about this.
www.neh.gov/news/neh-ann...
NEH Announces Grant Opportunity to Create Statues of Iconic Americans for the National Garden of American Heroes
www.neh.gov
April 24, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Missing grant money? Found it! It looks like the remaining grant funds for FY2025 have been reallocated here.
We have nothing good to say about this.
www.neh.gov/news/neh-ann...
We have nothing good to say about this.
www.neh.gov/news/neh-ann...
A Stalinist throwback memorial would be appropriate for this administration—but it’s definitely not a “humanity.” The “garden of heroes” isn’t educational or historical, it’s a jingoistic vanity project with a stupid name. It would be better to abolish the NEH and NEA than fund this.
Canceled Humanities Grants to Help Pay for Trump’s ‘Garden of Heroes’ (Gift Article)
The National Endowment for the Humanities, which supports museums and historical sites, will redirect funds to the president’s planned patriotic sculpture garden.
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A Stalinist throwback memorial would be appropriate for this administration—but it’s definitely not a “humanity.” The “garden of heroes” isn’t educational or historical, it’s a jingoistic vanity project with a stupid name. It would be better to abolish the NEH and NEA than fund this.
There are 10s of 1000s in Boston today—a sea of folks further than the eye can see! This is what democracy looks like!
April 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
There are 10s of 1000s in Boston today—a sea of folks further than the eye can see! This is what democracy looks like!
The unhoused, museums, and libraries are now entities “the President has determined are unnecessary”
Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
March 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The unhoused, museums, and libraries are now entities “the President has determined are unnecessary”
Reposted by Kirsten Swenson
Have you heard this good news?
As of January 1, every single one Chicago's 400+ municipal buildings — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on 100% renewable energy
grist.org/cities/chica...
As of January 1, every single one Chicago's 400+ municipal buildings — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on 100% renewable energy
grist.org/cities/chica...
Chicago keeps its New Year's resolution: All city buildings now use 100% clean power
To achieve its climate goals, the city helped finance the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi River.
grist.org
January 3, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Have you heard this good news?
As of January 1, every single one Chicago's 400+ municipal buildings — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on 100% renewable energy
grist.org/cities/chica...
As of January 1, every single one Chicago's 400+ municipal buildings — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on 100% renewable energy
grist.org/cities/chica...
Reposted by Kirsten Swenson
If there's one thing the NYPD is good at, it's...art history?
Not comparing Luigi Mangione to Jesus Christ, but I am comparing composition to composition.
Not comparing Luigi Mangione to Jesus Christ, but I am comparing composition to composition.
December 20, 2024 at 6:27 AM
If there's one thing the NYPD is good at, it's...art history?
Not comparing Luigi Mangione to Jesus Christ, but I am comparing composition to composition.
Not comparing Luigi Mangione to Jesus Christ, but I am comparing composition to composition.
Reposted by Kirsten Swenson
The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) is the hub for all things climate at UMass Lowell:
www.uml.edu/research/cli...
To keep current on all our work across 20 different departments and all five colleges, you can sign up for our newsletter at:
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Climate Change Initiative
www.uml.edu
December 4, 2024 at 11:44 PM
The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) is the hub for all things climate at UMass Lowell:
www.uml.edu/research/cli...
To keep current on all our work across 20 different departments and all five colleges, you can sign up for our newsletter at:
signup.e2ma.net/signup/19761...