Don't f*** with the Hiltons: a lesson in artistic influence

The Paris Hilton campaign ad is the coolest work of public art related to the presidential campaign process this year.

In an art historical view of the world, patrons of the arts come in all shapes and sizes. But we tend to look back at art that the entire public could be exposed to. This art is generally patronized by Popes, monks, wealthy bankers, Sun Kings, emperors, pharoahs, etc. Rich people. Not presidential candidates in debt. A political campaign may or may not be a work of art. But any public statement can be subject to artistic criticism. Public art is not a force to be reckoned with, and Paris Hilton has just made herself a great art patron of our day.

My fellow Northeastern Corridorians are shocked to see the political world's Hollywood scapegoat actually show up with a presidential campaign video in response to John McCain's derogatory "celebrity" campaign video. Art Guy loves it and isn't terribly surprised. The Hiltons are rich and powerful, and Paris is a prolific Hollywood Star. The medium is "joke presidential campaign ad." Video is her bag. Who knows how many directors, script writers, and comedians she networks with. Probably more than Senator John McCain.

I've seen these jerks beat up on Hollywood icons in political contexts all the time. From the tired "Governator" name-calling of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the cheap-shot interview of Britney Spears in Micheal Moore's Fahrenheit 9-11, it's old and it's low, and Art Guy in Jeans is sick of it. First reaction to Paris Hilton is, you've done a great thing and set a great precedent.

The lesson here is pretty simple. Don't mess with powerful people. This is no doubt humiliating to John McCain's campaign, and there's no way for him to twist it for the good. Paris's campaign ad is more intelligent than his. I'm not just talking about Paris's "energy crisis" speech which had me rolling on the floor. I'm talking about the intelligence of the choice to do it. No matter how much help she had in making the video, it's her video. She's the artist with the workshop.

Art Guy in Jeans says insults are hurtful. The political ad campaigns this year are generally unintelligent, and McCain's was the lowest yet. Powerful Paris Hilton is an icon in her lawn chair and bathing suit, an artistic symbol that politicians aren't the center of the world.