The Dissident Becomes The Man

This is great. Libby Copeland, all smart and whatnot, hanging outside an "art show" with some questions: It's tough being dissidents seeking publicity. You despise The Man but you want The Man to pay attention. You want the press to cover you, but you don't necessarily want to give your name. You want to raise money, but you don't want to be seen as selling out.
Thus, the delicate dance of "The Consolation of Ruin," an art show that continues tonight.
"Consolation" is being put on by a group called the Borf Brigade that wishes to remain anonymous but nevertheless has a publicist. One of the artists, the reformed graffiti artist once known as Borf, considers himself an "anti-capitalist," but in a move that sounds curiously like capitalism, he's now selling his art.
The anti-capitalist capitalist is in a tight spot, particularly if he is used to decrying things like the state, private property, globalization, adulthood and rich people. The negative approach doesn't work well in sales pitches.

Thus, the delicate dance of "The Consolation of Ruin," an art show that continues tonight.

"Consolation" is being put on by a group called the Borf Brigade that wishes to remain anonymous but nevertheless has a publicist. One of the artists, the reformed graffiti artist once known as Borf, considers himself an "anti-capitalist," but in a move that sounds curiously like capitalism, he's now selling his art.

The anti-capitalist capitalist is in a tight spot, particularly if he is used to decrying things like the state, private property, globalization, adulthood and rich people. The negative approach doesn't work well in sales pitches.