Mayoral candidate Davy Mayer exhibited artwork relating to his campaign at the University of Wisconsin’s graduate art school exhibition.
Mayer’s piece consisted of three vertical banners reaching from the ceiling to the floor with “MAYER” across the top of all of them in spotted black ink and “MAYOR” along the bottom. Mayer’s face overlaps the words at the top of the left banner, in the center of the middle banner and at the bottom of the third.
Mayer said he modified a picture of himself in several computer programs and used a printer that could print three feet wide to make his project.
Mayer said he made his face appear lower on each banner to represent his movement from “Mayer” at the top of the banners to “Mayor” at the bottom.
Mayer said his artwork is a simplified spin-off of campaign literature.
“To differentiate from other campaign paraphernalia, there are no issues set, no date to vote and no contact information,” he said. “It’s just the identity.”
Mayer said he wanted to break down campaign literature to its lowest common denominator.
George Cramer, a professor of 3-D computer art at UW, said Mayer is a bright and talented student with broad visions for his work.
“He’s always pushing the envelope,” Cramer said. “He sees complete things rather than parts.”
Mayer does sculpture, painting, posters and graphic design as well as 3-D computer art. He is designing all of his campaign signage himself.
The Master of Fine Arts program showcases the students’ artwork in two required exhibitions per year, culminating in a personal exhibition for each graduate. Mayer is set to graduate in May of this year.
Cramer said he would like to see Mayer win the mayoral election.
“What he says is real, while others do the double-talk,” Cramer said. “He would be a damn good mayor; he’s not doing this just for fun.”
Cramer said Mayer has the qualities of good leadership.
“He has high social intelligence, and he understands what people need,” Cramer said.
Mayer said his run for office and his front-row view of politicians has been interesting.
“When people get on TV, they take on this weird celebrity status, but in person, you realize they’re just regular people,” Mayer said. “You realize that you’re taller than them.”
Mayer wanted to translate his observations on the campaign into his artwork.
“It’s larger than life — like politics,” Mayer said.
