It’s been a long time coming… but CHS-V Episode 3 is finally ready. The main reason for the delay is that somewhere along the way, I realized that there was a good enough story here that I should spend some serious time on it, and make sure it comes out as good as it can. I edited the first episode of CHS-V (“The Blog”) in one afternoon, and then had it posted to CHS by that night. I’ve been editing this video for over a week now, hopefully all that extra time was worth it.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that for the past 6 months or so, Capitol Hill has been covered in Obama Art. “Hope Art,” takes a look at this phenomenon from the perspective of the artists, but also digs deeper to ask what this proliferation of Obama art means about our neighborhood. Are we merely displaying our support for our candidate, or are we being too quick to memorialize a president who hasn’t even had the chance to prove himself?
Interviewed for the Story
Jen Graves – Art Writer for the Stranger
Spike Mafford – Photographer
Shelly Farnham – Artist
Damian Hayes – Currator, BLVD Gallery
Kate Stineback – Capitol Hill Housing
Photos Courtesy of Flickr Users – January20th2009, Whorange, Tofuart, Craynol, ~C4Chaos, Jinamae
UPDATE – Added a blog entry about editing this video, and my thoughts on the difference between ‘web video’ and a ‘documentary short’.

I love it! Both thought-provoking and a great Capitol Hill postcard to send to family and friends about my neighborhood.
Nice job.
Thanks for sharing this.
This is a great piece. I’m really impressed.
on my Obama altar. I am praying to Obama that he does another airstrike on Afghanistan like the one he did last that killed 18 civilians.
Thanks for posting. Very cool story. I was wondering about the Abraham Obama.
I love this video. There should be a You Tube Channel for this. Is there one? In any case, thanks! I am going to post a link on my blog.
Thanks! Yes I do have all episodes of CHS-V up on my youtube channel as well… http://www.youtube.com/davidmichio.
Just posted this video to Current.com, so if you like it, help me get it on Current TV by voting it up and/ or leaving a comment here; http://current.com/items/89770521/hope_art.htm
This is great stuff, the extra work really shows.
I really enjoyed this. I can’t believe the AP is suing for copyright infringement for the original hope poster. Heartless bastards.