The collections Political Circus and Political Sideshow focuses on the Presidential Campaigns of 2008 and 2016 where identity has played a part in the rhetoric of some candidates, but more so in some of the general public’s response to various candidates. Through the acquisition of popular consumer items produced for the Presidential campaigns, Dr. Caputi organized two exhibitions teasing out issues to do with gender, racism, identity, class, sexuality. The Political Sideshow Collection consists of commercial paraphernalia produced during the 2016 USA Presidential Campaign cycle. Items include traditional campaign memorabilia such as buttons and posters, to more contemporary objects (realia) like sponge squeeze toys and a figurative nut- cracker. These pieces were central components of the exhibition, Political Sideshow: From “Bitch” to (Big) “Nuts” and Beyond that ran from October 14 – December 3, 2016 at Florida Atlantic University’s Ritter Gallery. The exhibition examined stereotypes and prejudices in politics through a collection of everyday consumer objects that became propaganda items to compliment or critique candidates. The collection’s items interrogate issues like misogyny, feminism, gender, patriotism, sexism, class, violence, and ageism.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
