Searching for Democracy

Artist Beth Grossman scribes the United States Constitution on Money Bags Democracy, literally means “rule of the people,” yet the word does not appear in the U.S. Constitution. I am studying that incongruity and exploring the democratic intentions of our founding fathers as I letter each word of the Constitution with a hand made feather quill pen on a collection of 50 money bags discarded from banks and the U.S. Mint in this recent Great Recession. I am enacting this writing in Civic Center public parks and on streets named after our presidents to engage the public in a dialog about the importance of reading and understanding our Constitution. www.bethgrossman.com

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Searching for Democracy: An Act of Civil Obedience.

A public scribing of the US Constitution on Money bags from failed banks.

© Beth Grossman  www.bethgrossman.com

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Preamble of the US Constitution scribed with quill pen on Moneybag.

© Beth Grossman  www.bethgrossman.com

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Preamble of the US Constitution scribed with quill pen on Moneybag.

© Beth Grossman  www.bethgrossman.com

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U.S. Constitution scribed with quill pen on Moneybag.

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US Constitution scribed on Moneybags from failed banks. Scribed with hand made quill pen and ink.

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Participants on my Searching for Democracy American tour

What do you cherish about the United States Constitution?

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Scribing the US Constitution on money bags at the New York Stock Exchange.

©Beth Grossman 2013 www.bethgrossman.com

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What do you cherish about the Constitution?

Meara Kate, Illinois

Freedom to sit in a park

to own a puppy

to own a fish

I love America

I love my school

I love my family

(outside the Treasury Dept. Washington, D.C. July 30, 2013)

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Marissa, Illinois

What do you cherish about the Constitution?

"I apreshat that we all get to do stuf and live and lern and have familieys."

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Meet Nature Boy who shared his office with me right outside the White House. He keeps regular office hours in Lafayette Park talking to people about life. This wise man was kind enough to let me scribe the Constitution in his office.

"The Constitution is priceless, the value of its message and intent is to ensure that every man is equally treated in all respects. People are not comprehending the Constitution. The Preamble is the intent, it gave power to the people. The government is the people's trustees and workers. They are working for us. The articles and amendments are designed to insure that. My job everyday is to be here to keep the Constitution strong over the USA."

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Scribing the US Constitution on money bags at the New York Stock Exchange.

©Beth Grossman 2013 www.bethgrossman.com

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美国中文网视频提供的'12×12微型房屋 绿色田园生活之初体验'视频节目信息，了解身边发生的事，观看身边的视频新闻，尽在美国中文网视频栏目。

Sinovision came to interview me at the Queens Botanical Garden during my artist residency on GMO Seeds and a Bill of Rights for Seeds. Wish I could understand Chinese.

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If you are in NYC, I am giving an artist's talk at the International Print Center New York, Thursday, July 18 at 6PM about my collaboration with Iraqi friends on the book for the "Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here" traveling exhibition.

     The exhibition of 280 artists' responses to the 2007 car bombing of the booksellers street in Baghdad are on view at 5 venues in New York before continuing to other international venues and making a permanent home in the Baghdad National Library. They can try to destroy intellectual life in Iraq and we will keep making and sending more books.

 — at International Print Center New York.

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Today, a photo journalist named Nick from a Queens newspaper came to visit my studio in the garden. He said, “I’ve met plenty of artists, but you are the first I’ve met with brass balls.”

Photo from http://emmamerrow.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-annual-brass-balls-awards-presented.html

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My artist's residency at the Queens Botanical Garden is getting off to a great start. I am working on my Law of Seeds project, painting and scribing a Bill of Rights for Seeds and talking with visitors about Genetically Engineered seeds. 

Come by for a visit at the Queens Botanical Garden, today through Sunday, July 14th from 11- 6. Join us for the Launch Party Saturday July 13th from 4-6. RSVP to Brendan Foo at [email protected] for free admission to the garden on Saturday.

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Starting my artist's residency in the 12 x 12 at the Queens Botanical Garden. Painting and scribing my Bill of RIghts for Seeds on vintage seed bags and talking with garden visitors about GMO Seeds.

I will be onsite daily until Sunday June 14. Come by for a visit.

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You are cordially invited to the Launch Party for the

WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE’S 

12x12 PROJECT

JULY 13, 2013

4:00pm – 6:00pm at 

QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDEN

Queens, New York

An art installation asking New Yorkers to ponder smarter consumption

To attend the 4:00pm launch party please RSVP.  This is mandatory to waive entry fee to the Garden and to ensure adequate fare.  We hope to see you there. RSVP to Michelle Barge:  [email protected]

And come for a garden visit while I am an artist in residence at the Queens Botanical Garden the week of July 9 - 14, 2013. I will be onsite daily from 10AM - 6PM. 

I am creating a project about the Law of Seeds and am developing a Bill of Rights for Seeds painted and scribed on vintage corn seed bags. Join me in an ongoing dialog about genetic engineered seeds, corporate protectionism and seed patents that affect individual farmers and food consumers worldwide. 

For more details, visit the 12 x 12 blog:http://the12x12project.tumblr.com/what