Rahm Emanuel, Dem. Caucus Chair, House of Representatives, 110th congressional assembly.

Project page: http://www.donrelyea.com/110th_assembly.htm

Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/donrelyea/sets/72157606820294934/

The 110th Congressional assembly has the worst job approval rating since pollsters have been able to track such things. This congress has even managed stay less popular than President Bush, an achievement worthy of recognition. So this particular congressional leadership has been immortalized in infamy with an extension of the hair particle drawing project.

The series includes dripping hairy portraits of: Adam Putnam,Chris Van Hollen Jr, Debbie Wasserman Shultz, Diana deGette, Ed Pastor, Eric Cantor, G.K. Butterfield, Janice Schakowsky, John Boehner, John Carter, John Larson, John Lewis, John Tanner, Joseph Crowley, Kay Grainger, Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel, James Clyburn, Rosa Delauro, Roy Blunt, Steny Hoyer, Thaddeus Mcotter, Tom Cole and Xavier Becerra.

Statement:
The beauty industry and the advertising industry have conditioned us to hide or cover up so called "unwanted hair" such as back hair, pubic hair, arm pit hair and leg hair. We cover it up, shave it and wax it off. With the proliferation of mass media it is desirable to white wash the unattractive traits of politicians. Using hair as a metaphor for that which is undesirable, what would politicians look like if they did not cover up their unwanted hair?

This series was done in C++ and Open GL using openframeworks. See project page for more details.