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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

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Foreclosed Riverside homes being used as art with a topical message

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A pair of creative video artists are using foreclosed homes in Riverside as the backdrops for their latest work.

Jeff Foye and Gordon Winiemko created the show “Jeff and Gordon Play Against" on display at Riverside’s Sweeney Art Gallery.

Winiemko says the artists also use the game of squash, typically associated with wealthy people, to explore the tensions between competition and cooperation in today’s economy.

“That tension that we’re playing, and there are rules that we agree on but we’re out to beat the other guy. Our exhibition is meant to look at the kind of underlying attitudes that give rise to a catastrophe like that, where there are so many people that end up losers,” Winiemko explained.

“These pieces also exemplify the desire of the 99 to be the 1 percent," he added, referencing the Occupy movement.

Foye agreed. "Right. Here we are maybe wearing the clothes or adopting the role of the 1 percenters."

"And the fact that we’re doing this at foreclosed homes is, we’re trying to carry on as if everything is just fine. We’re just temporarily embarrassed, you know?” Winiemko said.

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The topical dialogue continues after “Play Against” closes. The Sweeney Gallery, in conjunction with UC Riverside researchers, plans to sponsor a series of conferences through next year that’ll explore the lasting effects of the housing crisis in Southern California.

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