Neocon Series - Phase Two: September 11th.

News Type: Event — Mon May 14, 2007 6:24 AM EDT

politics, bush, terrorism, gop, art, 911, painting, neocon, september-11, mccann, artgallery, artguild, neocon-series

The Neocon Series is a Newsvine exclusive.

Eighth in a Series.

Those who have been following will remember that Phase One consisted of portraits, presented in a Pop style. Using color as commentary, I focused on the personalities and roles of some of the members of the Bush administration. Seven paintings have been presented thus far, and though that phase of the series is by no means finished, and will continue, I felt that it was time to move on to Phase Two.

Phase Two examines the defining events by which history will judge the Bush administration, and the overall Neocon agenda.

The first painting in Phase two focuses on the major defining event of the beginning of the Bush administration - The attack on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001. Using an approach reminiscent of early cubism, with elements of constructivist and pop art, I have superimposed multiple images on a common surface. The painting exhibits the narrative elements of that day; airplanes, buildings, smoke; but further examination reveals more, as the images are overlaid on a field of missiles, and intersected by a large W.

As always, I am not going to tell you, the viewer, what this painting means. That is for you to decide for yourself. Be aware that it is not only the objects that are of importance, but also the intersection of those objects. And, as always, the color is of significance.

Justify (September 11th). 100cm x 100cm. Acrylic on Canvas. 2007. Dennis P. McCann, Paper Dragon Studios.

To view a larger image, click here.

Previously in the Neocon Series:

Neocon Series: Rumsfeld. A One Day Painting.

Neocon Series: Cheney. A One Day Painting.

Neocon Series: Bush. A One Day Painting.

Neocon Series: Rove. A One Day Painting.

Neocon Series: Ashcroft. A One Day Painting.

Neocon Series: Ridge. A One Day Painting.

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ARTgallery: Get SmARTer Here!

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64 Votes
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120

7.2

{"commentId":705624,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Though this painting was completed in February, I wanted to wait until I had a few more before I presented it.

I now have four phase two paintings finished.

{"commentId":705624,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

6 votes

#1 - Mon May 14, 2007 6:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":705709,"authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}

Yuriy Bilokonsky

Wow. That's something else. At first glance I didn't think much of it, to be honest.

But second, third, forth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eight glance... Amazing, each more than the last. Truly inspired, Dennis.

{"commentId":705709,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"YuriyBilokonsky"}

8 votes

#2 - Mon May 14, 2007 7:40 AM EDT

{"commentId":705795,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Thanks Yuriy.

Here's a hint: Ignore the colors and look for shapes.

Then look at the colors.

{"commentId":705795,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

6 votes

#2.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 8:24 AM EDT

{"commentId":707564,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

JoulesBeef

wow , yes i skiped over that link myself, a quick glance and all i saw was blue.
until i read the comment above.
very cool

{"commentId":707564,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

2 votes

#2.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:06 PM EDT

{"commentId":705801,"authorDomain":"indelible"}

indelible inc.

Dude, you're incredible. Your art is fantastic.

Justify is especially brilliant.

{"commentId":705801,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"indelible"}

9 votes

#3 - Mon May 14, 2007 8:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":705806,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Wow, Thanks.

{"commentId":705806,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#3.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 8:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":705826,"authorDomain":"eco-geek"}

Eco-geek

When I clicked on this link, I expected to read a bunch of neocon ramblings about how Sept. 11th has justified everything the Bush administration has done since.

Needless to say, I was a little surprised by what was here.

Excellent, Dennis. I'm quite impressed, and pleasantly surprised.

{"commentId":705826,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"eco-geek"}

6 votes

#4 - Mon May 14, 2007 8:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":705861,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

I guess you don't read my column.

Anytime you see neocon near my name, you can bet it won't be favorable.

{"commentId":705861,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#4.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":706025,"authorDomain":"eco-geek"}

Eco-geek

I've definitely seen your comments around, and I tend to remember which side most people fall on, but there are a few who slip through.

I don't think you'll be one of those anymore. :)

{"commentId":706025,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"eco-geek"}

2 votes

#4.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 10:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":705843,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Wow. Powerful image, to say the least. I love it! The more I look, the more I see. Great stuff, Dennis.

{"commentId":705843,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

7 votes

#5 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":705862,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Thanks, lauhal.

{"commentId":705862,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

5 votes

#5.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":705854,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

I think my favorite of the series.

The more I look the more I see.

===========

I missed the Ridge - you captured him well!

{"commentId":705854,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"chill888"}

5 votes

#6 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:10 AM EDT

{"commentId":705867,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Heh. Ridge was fun to do. I just used the colors from the homeland Security ~~scare-the piss-out-of-Americans~~ warning system.

{"commentId":705867,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

5 votes

#6.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":705871,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

lol now i see why there was no green :)

very well done

{"commentId":705871,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"chill888"}

4 votes

#6.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:19 AM EDT

{"commentId":705874,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

There was green. Look at the eyes.

{"commentId":705874,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#6.3 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:21 AM EDT

{"commentId":705886,"authorDomain":"chill888"}

chill

snake reference?

{"commentId":705886,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"chill888"}

5 votes

#6.4 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:25 AM EDT

{"commentId":705907,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Nah, that was Condi. Just a color justapoxition.

Looks great against his yellow/orange/red face.

{"commentId":705907,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

5 votes

#6.5 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:31 AM EDT

{"commentId":705912,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

For anyone who may have missed it, there's a link to a larger image of the painting in the article, and at the bottom there are links to larger versions of all of them.

{"commentId":705912,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#7 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:32 AM EDT

{"commentId":705924,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

Astonishing, Dennis. The painting reflects, for me, not just the events of that day but all of the ensuing crap.

As usual, beautifully done.

{"commentId":705924,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

8 votes

#8 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:40 AM EDT

{"commentId":705935,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Thanks, Viki.

Yeah. The "ensuing crap" is more to the point, as you'll see in the rest of this phase of the series.

{"commentId":705935,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

7 votes

#8.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 9:48 AM EDT

{"commentId":705958,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

Viki Babbles Gonia

I'm looking forward to it.

{"commentId":705958,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}

3 votes

#8.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 10:03 AM EDT

{"commentId":705969,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Definitely the best piece in the series, thus far.

I'm not a big fan of the W, though. I've never really liked symbolism much, and definitely not "in your face" symbolism. To me, I don't need the W to understand or to get the critique on the administration -- especially next to all the phase one paintings.

The one saving grace of that, though: "W" can stand for a lot. (Waste, War, Why, Who, Where, WMD.) Thinking of it that way, I can almost talk myself into not minding its presence.

With all that said, definitely my favorite so far. Just the right amount of abstraction and pop stylization.

{"commentId":705969,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"brianford"}

6 votes

#9 - Mon May 14, 2007 10:09 AM EDT

{"commentId":706282,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

The one saving grace of that, though: "W" can stand for a lot. (Waste, War, Why, Who, Where, WMD.)

And there are, in fact, two W's in the painting.

To me, I don't need the W to understand or to get the critique on the administration -- especially next to all the phase one paintings.

Yes, but each painting has to stand alone. Taken as a whole, they have a larger meaning, but many people only see them individually.

{"commentId":706282,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

3 votes

#9.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 12:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":706026,"authorDomain":"rightenough"}

Arlo Goodbody

Fantastic Art, Mr. Dragon.

{"commentId":706026,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"rightenough"}

3 votes

#10 - Mon May 14, 2007 10:33 AM EDT

{"commentId":706283,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Thanks!

{"commentId":706283,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

2 votes

#10.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 12:18 PM EDT

{"commentId":706091,"authorDomain":"ForestBrowne"}

Forest Browne

Always a pleasure to check in on the neo-con series Dennis. A sort of mental gymnastics for the eye.

Thanks

Forest

{"commentId":706091,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"ForestBrowne"}

7 votes

#11 - Mon May 14, 2007 11:01 AM EDT

{"commentId":706173,"authorDomain":"marygj"}

MaryGJ

Dennis, I never knew ye...

This is great stuff. Look at Condi's eyes!!!

{"commentId":706173,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"marygj"}

7 votes

#12 - Mon May 14, 2007 11:42 AM EDT

{"commentId":706317,"authorDomain":"chindi"}

chindi

The faces of evil.
Very nice work.

{"commentId":706317,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"chindi"}

4 votes

#13 - Mon May 14, 2007 12:29 PM EDT

{"commentId":706487,"authorDomain":"sprydle"}

Sprydle

Great stuff Dennis, thanks!

{"commentId":706487,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"sprydle"}

2 votes

#14 - Mon May 14, 2007 1:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":706705,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Forest, MGJ, Chindi & Sprydle -

Thanks!

{"commentId":706705,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

2 votes

#14.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 2:54 PM EDT

{"commentId":706615,"authorDomain":"keld"}

Keld Bach

Great work, Dennis. I was looking for a hidden map of Iraq, but haven't found it thus far. Perhaps it's covered by all the missiles... My eyes seems to be repeatedly drawn to the red cross in the middle. Hardly put there accidentally...

{"commentId":706615,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"keld"}

6 votes

#15 - Mon May 14, 2007 2:13 PM EDT

{"commentId":706693,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Great work, Dennis. I was looking for a hidden map of Iraq, but haven't found it thus far

No, but you will. Not in this painting...but you will.

{"commentId":706693,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

6 votes

#15.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 2:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":706734,"authorDomain":"keld"}

Keld Bach

Looking forward to that ;-)

{"commentId":706734,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"keld"}

3 votes

#15.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 3:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":706915,"authorDomain":"vas"}

vas

I like it. Forgive my ignorance, but what do the dark blue, red and orange of the one W, and the purple of the other W represent?

And I keep seeing something deathly or ghoulish in the billowing smoke. Something you intended or my subconscious speaking?

Still waiting for the McCann world tour, starting in Seattle.

{"commentId":706915,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"vas"}

3 votes

#16 - Mon May 14, 2007 4:17 PM EDT

{"commentId":706931,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Seattle?

That's a long way from where I am right now.

It's not so much that each color represents something, as much as the combinations.

Complimentary colors. Opposites -like lies and the truths. Aso look at the the placement of the objects and colors. What sticks out, and what blends in? What appears to not quite fit? And then, start thinking about layers. What's behind it?

Try to find the order.

{"commentId":706931,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#16.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 4:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":707217,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

Complimentary colors. Opposites -like lies and the truths. Aso look at the the placement of the objects and colors. What sticks out, and what blends in? What appears to not quite fit? And then, start thinking about layers. What's behind it?

Try to find the order.

Freakin' brilliant!!

Ahem, everybody...Dennis is from CHICAGO. :) Just thought I'd toss that in the pile.

{"commentId":707217,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

5 votes

#16.2 - Mon May 14, 2007 6:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":707024,"authorDomain":"dwight"}

Dwight Overturf

Dennis -- I'd love to make some pithy comment, beyond "Outstanding work, Dennis!" But I keep have to scroll up to the top and look again at "Justify". 'Bout to wear out my scroll wheel. So for now, I'll leave it at Oustanding work, Dennis!"

{"commentId":707024,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"dwight"}

4 votes

#17 - Mon May 14, 2007 5:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":707134,"authorDomain":"pwp"}

PuzzlesWithoutPictures

Dennis - Justify is phenomenal. Do you have a larger version?

{"commentId":707134,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"pwp"}

2 votes

#18 - Mon May 14, 2007 5:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":707381,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Yes, there was a link in the article.

Here.

{"commentId":707381,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

2 votes

#18.1 - Mon May 14, 2007 7:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":707318,"authorDomain":"laef"}

LaeF1

As always, I am not going to tell you, the viewer, what this painting means. That is for you to decide for yourself.

hmmmm. the artist has a conviction to bring some fun and color and character, personality,...human-like qualities to a group of people that are seemingly heartless, inhuman, reptilian,..?

{"commentId":707318,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"laef"}

3 votes

#19 - Mon May 14, 2007 7:00 PM EDT

{"commentId":708088,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

No, that's not it ;-)

{"commentId":708088,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

1 vote

#19.1 - Tue May 15, 2007 7:19 AM EDT

{"commentId":707447,"authorDomain":"JStranahan"}

Jimster

Dennis-

I love all of them. I like the confrontational approach to the portraits. To me, they match their personalities.

Justify to speaks to the secrecy and deception of 9/1 ro me. By intently looking, the truth and lack of it reveals itself.

I've been wondering when the art world was goiing to attack this travesty we are living through, good job.

Thanks

{"commentId":707447,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"JStranahan"}

3 votes

#20 - Mon May 14, 2007 7:51 PM EDT

{"commentId":708877,"authorDomain":"JStranahan"}

Jimster

Oops!

S/B -

Dennis-

I love all of them. I like the confrontational approach to the portraits. To me, they match their personalities.

Justify speaks to the secrecy and deception of 9/11 to me. By intently looking, the truth or lack of it, reveals itself.

I've been wondering when the art world was going to attack this travesty we are living through, good job.

{"commentId":708877,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"JStranahan"}

2 votes

#20.1 - Tue May 15, 2007 1:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":707831,"authorDomain":"eyes"}

Eyes

Wow. Justify is amazing. I've always thought 9/11 as my "Wake Up" moment and this is absolutely spectacular. I'm scared to look at it anymore because I don't want to find any flaws.

P.S. How much would this cost? :P

{"commentId":707831,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"eyes"}

2 votes

#21 - Tue May 15, 2007 12:27 AM EDT

{"commentId":708090,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

I'm scared to look at it anymore because I don't want to find any flaws.

Oh, don't worry. It's flawless ;-)

{"commentId":708090,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

4 votes

#21.1 - Tue May 15, 2007 7:20 AM EDT

{"commentId":708196,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

The second painting in Phase Two of the series, Invade, can be found here.

{"commentId":708196,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

1 vote

#22 - Tue May 15, 2007 8:34 AM EDT

{"commentId":712676,"authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

lauhal

I keep getting an error message on that link. :(

{"commentId":712676,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"LAUHAL63"}

#22.1 - Wed May 16, 2007 7:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":4889405,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}

caroaber

Yeah, it's still not linking to the correct page, but I'll search some more. (Same with comment #18.1, where I got a Forbidden warning.)

{"commentId":4889405,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"caroaber"}

#22.2 - Mon Jan 19, 2009 8:00 PM EST

{"commentId":724485,"authorDomain":"rinpbny"}

Tobias EveryoneDeleted

{"commentId":740732,"authorDomain":"gpolya"}

Gideon Polya

Excellent polemical painting Dennis - brilliant colours an very mobile message (serried ranks of W for War, V for Victory) with falling, burning buildings and jet planes on a field of sharp-pointed missiles, all ready to go. The painting has an apocalyptic quality and a remorseless motion consonant with the subject.

{"commentId":740732,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"gpolya"}

1 vote

#24 - Tue May 29, 2007 3:47 AM EDT

{"commentId":4511780,"authorDomain":"corperateties"}

corperateties

Killing in the name of........

{"commentId":4511780,"threadId":"103143","contentId":"716939","authorDomain":"corperateties"}

1 vote

#25 - Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:29 AM EST

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"103143","isPrivate":false}

DENNIS P. MCCANN

Backyard

Neocon Series - Phase Two: September 11th.

Eighth in a Series.

Previously in the Neocon Series:

Published to:

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