Though the issues may seem intangible, the fears surrounding them are very real. The run-up to the political election has been marked by an increase of fear and distrust among both parties: A June Pew survey found that more than half of Democrats (55%) said the Republican Party made them feel “afraid,” while 49% of Republicans said the same about Democrats.
The immersive element of the experience leads to some of the most effective political commentary. Guests are harassed by a dystopian police force on their way in to the exhibit, a visceral reenactment of tactics that groups like Black Lives Matter stand in opposition to.
“I like to think we’re paying homage to just the sheer terror that is these issues,” Thompson told the Daily Beast. “Tell me a polite way to deal with climate change…Satire has a long tradition of making light of the things that are freaking everyone out. One of the classic definitions of art itself is to find some way for us to come to terms with the things that are troubling us.”
As social media and live-streaming video inspire new digital activist communities, shifting demographics and economic instability apply pressure to already-politicized consumers, turning up the heat on the political conversation. Doomocracy is an innovative way to tap into the election cycle, acknowledging the fears of the average citizen while using art to push the conversation forward.
Check back for our trend report on the intersection between brands and politics, coming next week.
