Koolhaas Book boycott

From Dara Brinbaum:
Please Distribute WIDELY.
AN URGENT MESSAGE
TO MY FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, AND ASSOCIATES:

IT IS WITH REGRET THAT I FEEL COMPELLED TO ASK YOU TO JOIN ME IN
BOYCOTTING THE UPCOMING "CONTENT" BOOK LAUNCH OF REM KOOLHAAS, HOSTED BY
JEFF KOONS.
This event is scheduled for 16 March 2004 @ 6:30 PM.

Although the book, in and of itself, may be worthy of attention, the
organizers have elected to hold this event at the Women's National
Republican Club. The Club is a separate entity not officially or legally
associated with any other organization, although its members work
closely with the Republican Party (see www.wnrc.org/history.)

Perhaps, given the announcement for the book's launch there is even a
strategy in-place behind selecting this site for a book entitled
"Content." The announcement card does utilize a montage of political
protest images, including crowds with protest posters of "Don't Attack
Iraq" or "No War on Iraq," along-side what appears to be the depiction
of an abusive confrontation between U.S. military men and Iraqi
citizens, and a non-identified speech of George W. Bush to American
soldiers.

However, at present, we are confronting serious political issues within
the United States, as well as a challenging upcoming election. The Bush
administration also has had its own "launch" - one that places Americans
at war and in a alerted-state of constant fear. Thus, to now render the
launch of "Comment" at the Women's National Republican Club seems highly
questionable. Need we become further witnesses to the de-signification
of "content"? Most importantly, the launch at the Women's National
Republican Club also devalues us: by asking many of us to enter into the
"belly of the beast." Perhaps the organizers, or Mr. Koolhaas, or Mr.
Koons are even attempting to create a Trojan horse. However, I would
suggest that this decision is ill-advised at this time and that this
event should be boycotted. Those who oppose the current White House
Administration should not be asked to be placed within the architectural
quotations of the Republican party.

In closing, I share with you the response which I received to my inquiry
as to why the Women's National Republican Club was chosen as the site
for the event. The choice is yours. I hope that you will consider this
matter seriously.

With kind regards,
Dara Birnbaum

THE STUDIO OF DARA BIRNBAUM


Dear Ms. Birnbaum,

We're sorry to hear that you will not be able to join us for the launch
event for Rem Koolhaas' Content at the Women's National Republican Club
next
week.

To answer your question, the location was chosen because we felt that
they
had a lovely ballroom.

Sincerely,

Matthew Caldecutt
General Strategic Marketing
413 West 14 Street, Third Floor
New York, NY 10014
646 638 2479
646 638 2529 fax
917 698 0810 mobile
[email protected]




Patrick Lichty
Editor-In-Chief
Intelligent Agent Magazine
http://www.intelligentagent.com
355 Seyburn Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808