“Big Daddy” Bob Braudis vs. “Performance Artist” Rick Magnuson

April 24th, 2006 at 06:23am Keith Hemstreet 8

Do we have the makings of a classic political race the likes of Hunter S. Thompson’s 1970 bid for Sheriff? Magnuson may not have the gonzo persona of Thompson, nor does he have the backing of a larger movement the likes of Aspen’s once notorious “Freak Power Party,” under which Hunter ran his campaign, but he is an artist and that alone is intriguing.

In recent years, Magnuson has been able to draw attention with his unique style of “performance art.” It has been said that his projects toe the line between art and lunacy. On such piece, "Eight Inches," incorporated high-heel pumps, female hands and a shopping cart. Magnuson described the work as, “a provocative piece about domination, sex and shopping."

Another oddity is Magnuson’s current 9 to 5. He’s a cop. A job he supposedly took to help support his creative aspirations. Career dichotomy along the lines of William Faulkner’s stint as a postman.

I went to his website http://www.rickmagnuson.com/ and was admittedly intrigued by the photograph of a man, in the middle of what looks like the Mojave Desert, picking a hole in the scorched earth to plant a bit of greenery. However, his website appears to be a work in progress, as there is only this one page. No other pieces are available for viewing. Other than the photo on his website, I have not seen Magnuson’s work, so I will withhold comment.

As for the upcoming race, I certainly hope that Magnuson throws his hat into the ring for no other reason than to make things interesting. And who knows, a good dose of theatrics and publicity generating “performance art” may just help him become the next Sheriff of Pitkin County.

Entry Filed under: Politics, Aspen, People