Shencheng-Fu-FieldReport03
Vote-Auction: A Fusion of Art, Politics, and Digital Intervention
The digital world has always been a place for new ideas, creativity, and sometimes even trouble. “Vote-Auction,” a project by the artist duo UBERMORGEN (lizvlx and Hans Bernhard), combines these elements in a way that works well. It’s important to know what the project is and why it’s an interesting mix of art, politics, and the digital world.
What is Vote-Auction?
Vote-Auction was an online auction site that began in 2000. It was used by voters in the United States presidential election. The bold claim it makes? to permit the online sale of American votes. The fact that this platform wasn’t a true marketplace must be understood, though. Transactions weren’t actually made. In contrast, it acted as a political commentary intervention that called into question the very foundations of democratic institutions.
Why Did It Gain Attention?
The project quickly got the attention of the government, who tried but failed to shut it down. Their actions only made things worse and got Vote-Auction a lot of attention from the media. The project was talked about in more than 2,500 news stories, including a longer CNN story called “Burden of Truth.”
The Message Behind the Art
Vote-Auction wasn’t just a controversial piece of art; it was also a parafiction that brought up important issues about the morality of the law and the openness of democratic institutions in a capitalist society. The artists brought attention to the fact that corporate money often has an effect on elections. This link between money and votes was taken to its logical end by Vote-Auction, whose slogan was “Bringing Capitalism and Democracy closer together.”
The Journey of Vote-Auction
The journey of the site is just as interesting as its idea. It was built by James Baumgartner, who was an MFA student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but it was soon inspected by the law. As the pressure grew, lizvlx and Hans Bernhard bought the site. They live in Vienna and are not subject to US law. The activist and artist group The Yes Men made this purchase possible.
Legal Battles and Media Frenzy
Vote-Auction was sued by many states, which is why the site moved from a US domain registry to a Swiss one. Even though there were legal problems, Vote-Auction’s story became a big deal in the news. UBERMORGEN did a lot of interviews, and as election day got closer, more and more government agencies visited their server logs.
The Legacy of Vote-Auction
Vote-Auction had an effect on more than just the 2000 election. It led to other projects, was used as an example of different legal issues, and brought attention to the role of the DNS system in political conflict. Today, it’s a great example of how digital art can go against social norms and make people think.
Why Is It Interesting?
As someone who likes computers and art, Vote-Auction stands out for a number of reasons:
- Digital Intervention: It shows how digital platforms can be creatively used to question social norms and make people think.
- Blend of Art and Politics: The project mixes art and politics in a way that doesn’t seem odd, and it makes us question the very foundations of our democracy.
- Media Impact: The project’s impact and importance are shown by the large amount of media coverage and the response from the authorities.
Vote-Auction is a great example of how art can challenge, provoke, and inspire when it is combined with the power of digital platforms. It reminds us of how digital art has the power to change the way people talk about things.