LIE CHEAT STEAL

LIE CHEAT STEAL is reflective of the current state of America: the division, the dishonesty, and the dangerously dirty politics that have essentially blurred the concept of democracy. The exhibit centers on a Trump-inspired Hitler propaganda image that collective members have interpreted in various ways. See prints opulently framed in heavy, ornate gold; rich imagery painted on lush velvet; a decadent 1970s’ bedroom diorama festooned in silk, crystals, and lace, and more. Also on display will be multiple 492-page tomes containing every lie our president told during his first 100 days in office — each one fired upon twice with 9mm or .45 caliber bullets and placed in a shadow box. 

LIE CHEAT STEAL pulls no punches. In a time and place where democracy is being twisted and trampled on, and power over people seems to be the new normal, this exhibit is equal parts raw commentary, irony, and a surreal view into the current state of affairs. 

• Upon entry, each attendee will receive an 11"x17" heavy matte stock poster of the image and will be offered the choice of leaving with the "entry ticket" intact, or having the perforated lower section removed and the image shredded upon entry
• Attendees will be invited to fire a (legal) pellet air rifle at paper reproductions of the propaganda image, in a designated, safe area 
• Projections of 16mm film loops on display in the gallery
• Tiny postage stamp-sized tomes with 492 pages of lies in notepad form and removable stickers will be available for take-away

The exhibition will be on view during the opening the November 10th reception, earlier in the day from 11 - 4 during Second Saturdays at the California Building, and through December 8th by appointment.

ABOUT ARTON ERTHNIF COLLECTIVE
Arton Erthnif is an anonymous collective of established creators from across the United States and Mexico. From contemporary artists to inventors, the group boasts a small handful of prolific members who have produced major bodies of work that span paintings, prints, and groundbreaking innovations for internationally-renowned musicians. Some members don’t even know each other’s identities, while others are so anonymous that they only communicate with the collective through an outside representative. Arton Erthnif may certainly be an enigma, but art is a powerful voice that each member shares. 

ABOUT STORAGE CONTEMPORARY
Storage Contemporary is a white box gallery space open to independent curators, experimental projects, and emerging and established creators. Located on the 5th floor of the iconic California Building in Northeast Minneapolis, Storage Contemporary is available for rotating exhibitions and events on a sliding-scale basis.