The Turkish proverb “When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king; the palace becomes a circus” inspired me to create a series of “portraits” of our current administration and its cast of characters. No matter which way one leans politically, one would admit that the people currently running our country admire the glitz, glamour, and glory of stardom and performance, different from our past leaders. They knowingly use the theater of politics to redirect attention and distract, confuse, and divide the electorate.
A circus trope performs to dazzle and entertain with elements of danger and high-wire acts. Beyond the entertainment value is the underlying possibility that the tent could collapse, the lion could escape, or the high-wire act could fall.
After the election in Nov. 2023, I felt the need to illustrate how our government has turned into a theatrical, performative affair. As the new presidency progressed in a rapid succession of appointments, I was introduced each week to another “performer” in the administration.
From High Wire to Ringmaster, their stories, actions, and behavior fit perfectly into traditional roles of the Circus.
The Greatest Reality Show on Earth
