From Without

One great example of being inspired from without is the story behind the digital work “Emissions” by Davis artist Chris Larson. The piece is a digital, political commentary collage about the attempts to suspend California Assembly Bill 32, and pass Proposition 23 this November. Both the suspension of A.B. 32 and the passage of Prop. 23 severely hurt California’s green technology and environmental future, and Larson’s work is a direct response in protest of those efforts.

"Emissions" by Chris Larson

While the people such as Dan Logue and William Kleese have been saying and doing some reprehensible things to attack A.B. 32, it is something said by Kleese that Larson specifically reacted to. In an article entitled “Don’t Mess With California” by Cosmo Garvin in the 4/15/10 issue of the Sacramento News and Review, Kleese said of A.B. 32 “I assume you realize that this is about CO2 and not pollution.” He goes on “We are not willing to ruin our economy, our business, your lifestyle and our country over AB-32.” Bill Kleese is CEO of Texas based Valero Oil, and working very hard to compromise the environmental standards and regulations set forth for California by A.B. 32 because it will be bad for Valero’s bottom line.

Either Bill Kleese is spreading misinformation about A.B. 32 for his own gains, or he is ignorant to what constitutes pollution. Larson was incensed by the statements by Kleese in “Don’t Mess With California” and therefore created his piece “Emissions.” Kleese is depicted from the chest up, seated with head resting in hand. The Valero logo is plastered over Kleese’s eyes as smoke billows out of three smokestacks, both behind and in front of the oil CEO, melding into his hair and jacket. Grotesque neon and pastel colors fill the oil tycoon, atmosphere and background, reminiscent of the “spectacular” colors that we Californians see at sunset each day that are really the result of chemicals in the atmosphere exaggerating the natural light of sundown. The quote “I assume you realize that this is about CO2 and not pollution” is written low across the piece in contrasting hues.” The piece is meant to urge people to read about Valero’s (and greater “Texas oil’s”) role in California politics, about A.B. 32 and Prop. 23, and to make an educated decision (vote NO) on Prop. 23 on November second.