Popaganda: The Art & Subversion of Ron English

I went to see this documentary with a friend Monday night. The documentary follows the exploits of Ron English, he of hijacking billboard fame, and includes a smidgen on the culture jamming movement, especially those that skirt the law in defacing public billboards and parodying pop culture.

For those who don't know Ron English, check out this site that is dedicated to everything Ron English. English takes some credit for personally causing the demise of Joe Camel. He also targets MacDonalds in his art, and does some stuff with Kiss and Jesus that simply makes little sense. He's a pretty good artist, and with his billboard hijacking, has succeeded in becoming the very thing he expressed his art against -- he's become a brand, a pop culture icon.

The documentary itself just followed English's exploits. There wasn't much insight or analysis of his art or person. It was more of a fanboy documentary -- even a bit promotional of his art. Not that it was necessarily a bad thing. After the show, I actually felt inspired -- until I remembered English's words: "If you're going to do this, you have to get a lawyer." He's constantly being sued by Corporations not too happy to see their brands parodied -- and being thrown in jail for defacing private property.