Blogs // 1 Blog by Chris Anthony

 
THANKS, WE'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE - A photography book about a Revolution against the 1% by Chris Anthony
An Art / Photography Book about Income & Wealth Inequality depicting a Revolution standing up to the Ultra-Rich so we can build a society on decency, empathy and compassion. A fantastical, cautionary tale of images by artist & activist Chris Anthony. Over 175 photographs of a Revolution in the making, for the taking, to keep on breaking, see the blue-bloods shaking, and the castles quaking, to quell the aching, get rid of the scraping, but never forsaking - our sisters and brothers, as now they are waking.

Chris Anthony : "Dear Sisters and Brothers, Friends and Comrades, As I write this in August, 2021, the three richest billionaires in the United States (you know who they are) have more wealth than the entire bottom half of the country’s population. 3 white men. And they pay almost nothing in taxes. Nor do their mega corporations. And they're leaving Earth in spaceships. My name is Chris Anthony and I’m an artist and activist in Los Angeles.

I’ve been working on this series of photographs for over 5 years which is finally coming into fruition as a book. Which is about Inequality. Income & Wealth Inequality. The most destructive form of inequality, because it causes so much despair and ruined dreams and makes the world such an unfair place to live in for most of this planet's inhabitants. It's about Greed, perhaps the root of all that is wrong with mankind. Greed is at the heart of racism, colonialism, unjust incarceration, mass poverty and everything else that keeps so many from leading healthy, happy lives. This book is about the straw that breaks the camel's back. And it's about the camel not being able to pass through the eye of a needle. It's a rager, this book. But not without dignity. Or the striving for dignity. Which is what every single person should have from cradle to grave. Not just the dignitaries...

My vision for this project from the start was about attempting to creatively express a bit of my own fury and hopefully communicate not a solution per se, but show faces of integrity and pride that most definitely are communicating that we will not let this stand in perputuity. And as Angela Davis so eloquently put it; on the necessity for violence as part of a Revolution - well, that decision lies solely with those in power. And while the imagery is of revolution, it does not advocate for violence. I have channelled frustrations into images that depict a somewhat fantastical and cautionary tale. No one hopes for something like this to happen. In billionaire Nick Hanauer’s own words in his Politico essay: “Our country is rapidly becoming less a capitalist society and more a feudal society. Unless our policies change dramatically, the middle class will disappear, and we will be back to late 18th-century France. Before the revolution.

And so I have a message for my fellow filthy rich, for all of us who live in our gated bubble worlds: Wake up, people. It won’t last. I would not be surprised if the people stand up to banksters, plutocrats and the politicians that enable them. Jefferson was probably right: “The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.” We’re obviously way beyond that already. This book is about how systemic the inequity is, and that root-ripping, truly fundamental, political, institutional change is necessary to avoid the pitchforks. It is no coincidence that most of the characters in this book are women - and Black and Latina women. They are disproportionately impacted by the inequities, shouldering the most burden, yet are what I would consider, the real hope for the future. All around the world. The determined action to regain balance and equity is a hopeful one."

The book is packed to the gills and it will be expensive to produce. In fact, the funds we're trying to raise pretty much just covers the printing and shipping. And I'm not looking to do anything deluxe or luxurious - just quality, quality, quality. And of course, cool as fuuuuuuck. And I'm trying to keep the price as low as possible. The book will include an essay on modern day capitalism by Michael Mechanic, senior editor at Mother Jones and author of Jackpot (Simon & Schuster, 2021). And an essay/rant by Chris Anthony.


THANKS, WE'LL TAKE IT FROM HERE - 12x12 inches in size, 324 pages - over 220 photographs and images of various props, costumes, installation objects, sculpture and vintage cartoons and illustrations. The cover is made of thick, raw printer's board with massive black deep foil-stamping on the front and back. The spine is three-quarter black cloth. And finally, there's a real penny hand glued into the forehead of the skull on the front cover. It will be printed on 160gsm paper - the book will be approximately 1.5" thick and will weigh about 6 lbs / 3kg. GoSee : kickstarter.com/projects/bekindorelse/thanks-well-take-it-from-here © // 26 files show complete blog
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - “Thanks, We’ll Take It From Here”
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IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - "Thanks, We'll Take It From Here"
IMAGE // CHRIS ANTHONY - "Thanks, We'll Take It From Here"