'10 edition of 10 prints. 4 colours screen printed on 13.5"x13.5" mirrors

This is my anti gay culture poster and think it's my best fine art piece I've ever made. We were assigned to do a poster for the opposing side of something that we like and do in an ironic or satirical sense.

It's a social commentary on gay culture, gay identity, and gay bars. They are gay bars in the literal sense. The viewer sees themselves behind the bars and in the place of a gay individual.

One can see it as one image of oneself being part of the gay symbol / identity, but depending on a one's focus / point of view one can focus more on the bars on on themselves. If one looks at oneself, they can't see themselves seperate from the bars. It's part of them whether they like it or not, but does it obstruct you from seeing your own identity clearly? Is it possible there is a mirror under every gay flag, but those who see it only see the bars of colour and only the symbol and identity of gay w/out seeing there own individual identity?

Gay bars were made so gay individuals could socialize w/out fear of being ridiculed or assaulted and they quickly become a place for promiscuity. Now gay bars may be doing more harm than good. Instead of a safe haven it's more a petting zoo where cops don't break up b/c gays are already clumped away from society, straights go there to get free drinks by hitting on guys, and bachelorette parties happen in abundance b/c they are safe w/ men who aren't attracted to them and most of the guys are loose and promiscuous. This adds to the feeling about gay culture waiting for governments to give them equality just by having marriage equal. I don't think it will. I think it takes each individual to stand up and take responsibility and courage to go about your everyday life, fully open whether it be a gay bar or a straight bar or a restaurant.

There are 6 colours on the gay flag, but 7 in Roy G. Biv. This reflects the exclusion of the bisexuals, the lesbians, and transexuals from gay culture while it tries to gave inclusion and exceptance in general society. Purhaps there is no violet was b/c it's at the end of the spectrum and almost out of the accepted spectrum. "furthest to the right"

It's meant to be subversive and to act as camoflauge so that it could be even put in a gay individuals apartment and think nothing of it. I'm very tempted to take a few and hang them up at gay bars around KC and Chicago. I didn't want to come right out and say it mockingly. I think there is much more depth to the piece if you formally break it down as well as in it's context w/ the title of the edition as well as i Like bars of colour and the text would be too far from a more minimalist aesthetic.

I'm really proud of this piece and I'm assured that a lot of people disagree w/ the premise of it. I don't really care. It's a formal art piece and i can chose to say what i want. I think that through my interpretation of it it works very well as a piece as i like very simple shapes and colours that mean a lot. I'm very minimalist and really like Felix Gonzales Torres.

I'd be totally cool w/ people critiquing the work. Just keep it formal and not get personal about the beliefs.