The People’s Lawn: Bringing the White House back to the People, Virtual reality
2020

If the space in front of the White House were given back to the people, what would you contribute to the atmosphere? What gesture, activity or ritual would you bring to uplift it? This was the question that inspired Hubby to orchestrate this virtual gathering. The participants each answered in their own unique way; they danced, played, prayed, mimed, spelled, juggled, and chilled out with animals, amongst other wholesome activities. This project showcases artists, activists, and healers who offer a peaceful and joyous potential for the lawn. The assembled actions on the lawn create a collective cacophony of goodwill.

Hubby on The People’s Lawn:

“The impetus was to raise spirits with an alternate reality of the White House lawn. I started this collaborative project during the pandemic by reaching out to friends and muses to repeople the lawn in their own special way. I filmed them one by one and created a virtual community during a time when we couldn’t be together. It was a way to collectively envision our way to creating something better. Everything starts in the imaginal realm.”

The People’s Lawn is presented as two distinct works: a 360 degree virtual reality experience viewable either with a headset or as a video, released on Election Day 2020, and a panoramic photograph showcasing all of the participants and elements on the White House lawn, released on Inauguration Day 2021. The virtual artwork was directed by Hubby, filmed and scored by Steven Rimlinger, and digitally composited by Rory Mitchell of creative digital agency The Mercantile.

PRESS RELEASE
PRESS: THE EDIT.
DIGITAL ASSETS
VIEW VR ON OCULUS
PURCHASE POSTER

The People’s Lawn: Bringing the White House back to the People, Bettina Hubby, 2020. Poster printed on 100#, semi-gloss paper, 24 x 32 inches. BH0520 Purchase poster here.

Credits:
Bettina Hubby, Artist and Instigator
Sacha Baumann, Studio Manager
Steven Rimlinger, C.C.O. (Chief Creative Officer, Filmmaker, Composer, Photographer)
Rory Mitchell, C.E.O. and Founder, The Mercantile

Participants:
Adrienne Adar, Aiel Garcia-Kaufman & Seth Kaufman, Alex Miller, Alexandra Weisenfeld, Amanda Yates Garcia, Amy Davilla, Asuka Hisa, Austin Young, Bettina Hubby, Brandee Goatcher, Chelsea Dean & Max Duncan & Grey Dean Duncan, Dani Tull, David Brown, Dominic Moore, Emma Gray, Evan Rimlinger, Jana Baumann, Jane Brown, Jess Tucker, Karen Lofgren, Malcolm Ian Cross, Michael G. Bauer, Michael Raynor, Molly Larkey, Molly Ann Hale, Nicola Vruwink, Persephenie, Rebecca Farr, Reneé Fox, Ron Finley, Rose Apodaca & Andy Griffith & Nina Griffith, Sacha Baumann, Saskia Wilson Brown, Senon Williams, Shana Nys Dambrot, Sophia Anoud, Steffie Nelson, Steven Rimlinger, Sydney Croskery, Tasha Rae Beezley, Tony Moss, Tricia Gabriel, Tyler Hubby & Gabriella Tollman

Image key, with participant statements:
$6000 therapy seal (comfort) Adrienne Adar The Divine Feminine, both Earthly and celestial. Goddess. Mother. Creator. Guide. Warrior. Divine Feminine Energy is creative and emotional. In her highest aspect she represents collaboration, nurturing, sharing, birthing, inclusiveness and vulnerability in perfect harmony with the world around her. Providing wisdom and links to our ancestral teachings. Aiel Garcia-Kaufman & Seth Kaufman I drew a large PEACE SIGN on my body, a tender and vulnerable expression as much as it is a gut punch commitment to the hard work of forging loving connections. I also flash my black painted fingernail on the middle finger of my left hand; a daily vigil since 2016, declaring my dedication to NOT using my unearned privilege to GRAB anyone, anywhere, without their consent. Alder Tree (Tree of the God brain, face what you avoid, cures ulcers, access to Faery realms) Alex Miller In a time when we can't hug, a wave is something that spreads cheer to friends and strangers alike. Alexandra Weisenfeld I kneel in front of a white bowl, which I turn over and cover with compost, surround with dried leaves and stones, and take one stone in each hand. The bowl represents the White House, the compost the earth and the holding of rocks in each hand, the courage to fight and the patience to stay Aiel Garcia-Kaufman My sign says VOTE FOR ME - Because I stand for PEACE. It also means - As adults, when you cast your votes, PLEASE keep in mind those of us who aren’t old enough yet to express our wishes for our own happy futures. Amanda Yates Garcia My name is Amanda Yates Garcia, Oracle of Los Angeles, and I was performing the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. Amy Davilla On the White House lawn, I created a daisy chain. A Daisy Chain to me represents connection. We are all connected and linked despite our race, color, religion, class, sex, or location in time and space. I wanted to remember innocence and play, joy and love. We are all one family connected by the simple beauty of nature. Ash Tree (Tree of life, attract love, aphrodisiac, healing loneliness) Asuka Hisa I grab some markers to draw some colorful, positive vibes on cups so we can imbibe the vibes together. Austin Young Love is the way. If we come from love - we will create love. Fear is the opposite of love. Ayahuasca (trauma relief, deep healing) Ayurveda (balance of mind, body, and spirit) Bee (community, brightness, personal power, celebration, the Goddess) Beech Tree (Tree of learning, manifestation, channel to spirits) 25. Deer (gentleness, sensitivity, alertness, peace) Bettina Hubby Painting myself with color was a nod to the Holi Festival in India where people revel together and pelt each other with colored chalk in homage to the change of the seasons, the triumph of good over evil, and the illusory nature of the material world. Birch Tree (Tree of new beginnings, blood purifier, expels evil spirits, banish fears, build courage) Brandee Goatcher I am here to help move the stale and darkened energy from this lawn, and to replace it with fresh breath, vivid colors, and bright light. Bunny (abundance, fertility, longevity + cuteness) Butterflies (transformation, courage to change, balance, grace) 27. Llareta Moss (oldest living thing on earth, ancient knowledge, luck, abundance) Cat (mystery, magic, healing) CBD (sleep, calm) Cedar Tree (Tree of eternity, strength, healing, dreams, and protection against disease) Chelsea Dean & Max Duncan & Grey Dean Duncan: Our intention is to spark joy and wonder through music and play. Chumpi stones (connection to sacred powers) Clover (good luck) Conch Shell (Om sound, spiritual awakening) Crystals (flushing out negative energy and obstacles from the human body) Dagga (calming, euphoria, psychoactive, healing) Dani Tull I bring music to the White House lawn, music is a tool for collaboration. It has the power to unify and to elevate us. David Brown A six directional blessing to the North, South, East, West, Heavens and the Earth, called upon the spirits of love, creation and our guides and ancestors to aid in this transformational time of awakening. Dogs (guidance, protection, loyalty, fidelity, faithfulness, alertness, and love) Dom Moore Acknowledging gratitude and compassion to invite loving, harmonious well-being vibrations for this planet and all the people and animals dwelling within and upon it. Dove (peace, hope, salvation) Eagle (man’s connection to the divine) Elephant ( a symbol of good luck and protection; potent totems of fertility, wisdom and strength as well as accumulating positive energy and pushing through obstacles) Elm Tree (Tree of the Arbitrator that listens without judgment, love, digestion, calming) Emma Gray How to ground and connect with nature. Evan Rimlinger: It’s about loving all beings (animals and all creatures) large and small - being kind and protecting them. Loving them! Animals are the BEST!! Fly Agaric mushroom (euphoria, invincibility) Ginkgo Tree (Tree of communication, unity of opposites, symbol of changelessness, possessing miraculous power, bearer of hope and of the immeasurable past, a symbol of love, brain function) Ginger (brain and body benefits, anger reduction) Guinea Pig (sacred healing, opening new spiritual doors + cuteness) Horse (overcoming obstacles, freedom) Jana Baumann I share joy and exuberance as I frolic with my sports toys on the lawn of the People’s House. Jane Brown Visioning a new White House cannot fully begin until we fully face our history. Jess Tucker Mayeux In my action on the White House Lawn, I use DANCE to say that our humanity can’t be made less than our physical selves; our bodies won’t be neatly translated into numbers or concepts, but will (re)present themselves in their own irreducible, glorious complexity. Jimson weed (calm nerves, euphoria, medical benefits) Karen Lofgren I rolled a smudge stick from medicinal plants that I grew in my garden. They are: Tobacco; white sage; California mugwort; Brugmansia grandiflora; and lemongrass. Kava (calm nerves, sobriety, sleep, pain relief, sanity) Hummingbird (love, luck, joy) Lavender oil (calm nerves) Lion (a supporting shield, can imply that we need to fight for what we believe in, as well as being predominantly associated with strength) LSD (mind expansion, creativity, mystical experience) Magic Mushrooms (connection to nature, calm nerves, mood stabilizer, creativity, mystical experience) Maple Tree (Tree of offering, generosity, balance, promise and practicality, cleansing, soothing) Malcolm Ian Cross STAY IN PRAYER, LOVE and LIGHT BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE Marijuana (pain relief, nausea, vomiting, calm nerves, escape, medical benefits) MDMA, pure (connection, enhanced pleasure, self-confidence, empathy, peacefulness, acceptance) Meteorite (grounding, protection, balances emotional body, consciousness raising) Michael G. Bauer In an impromptu moment I brought out a puppet of myself; a self-referential moment that conjures ideas around taking care and nurturing oneself in these trying times. Michael Rayner The tennis racket trick is challenging gravitational norms and seeks to provide controlled anarchy with found objects. The parasol donut trick is just fun. I mean that’s why I do all my tricks they’re just fun. I have no other agenda than fun. Molly Larkey: I displayed these bowls to symbolize the sharing of art as sustenance, not only creatively, but also politically, socially, and economically. Molly Ann Hale Pulling tarot cards to get messages about the collective in this moment. Morning Glory (mind expansion, creativity, mystical experience) Negativity Spray (no explanation needed) Nicola Vruwink Bawdy and sweet, desperately wanting love, my ceramic balloon sculptures are nothing without participation; activating them through hand & foot pumps brings them, and I hope others, much joy. Owl (wisdom, femininity, magic, mystery, ancient knowledge) Peacock (rebirth, beauty, self-love, honor, courage) Persephenie I burn incense as a symbol of destruction and purification, with the hope of global healing, transformation, and connection through aromatic smoke. Peyote (deep insight, synesthesia) Rebecca Farr I create a ritual fire to honor the big transformation of energy that is needed at this time. Renee Fox Envisioning a sustainable, healthy and joyful future for all people through bicycling! Ron Finley Change Culture. Rose Apodaca & Andy Giffith & Nina Griffith & Gypsy Tea time encourages connection with others and ourselves, civility, good health and mindfulness. Sacha Baumann Peacefully creating art that reframes sexist tropes. Sage (aids energetic clearing) San Pedro (physical, emotional and mental balance, mystical experiences) Salvia Divinorum (mood stabilizer, sobriety, pain relief ) 53. Cairn (symbol of balance, setting of intentions) Saskia Wilson-Brown Play music for fun, happiness, and laughter. Selenite (evoke protection from the angelic realm, dispels negative energy) Senon Williams We will enter a new gateway of hope using the wisdom gained from the past. Shaman kit (soul mending) Shana Nys Dambrot I love the idea that books do not have to be solitary-use items, but rather can augment a collective experience, and the wonders inside need not be for the reader alone, but for the sharing. Smudge Feather (aid to energetic clearing, shamanic tool) Sophia Anoud Choose wisdom, and demand no less. Steffie Nelson I often light candles of different colors to create sacred space and set intentions, and I included the full spectrum here as a way to honor the prayers of all, enliven the chakras, and celebrate the simple magic of color. I used a blessed candle to light these votives, so each flame also carries this blessing. Steven Rimlinger Frisbee is one of my favorite outdoor activities. I keep one in my car at all times just in case of surprise meadows. It would naturally come to mind to celebrate the newly public White House lawn with a nice game of Frisbee. Sydney Croskery Referencing both yoga and gymnastics, I wanted to do the splits on the White House Lawn to symbolize, document and celebrate female power and strength. Tasha Rae Beezley I share my Metaphysical Beingness through these movements, healings, spiritual oneness, and service to the planet/universe. My intention is to spread healing energy and shine my light of love. Tony Moss: Sitting with a drum, I find calm at the center of the storm - knowing every intentful stroke is vibrating time & space. Tricia Gabriel In 1918, at the end of WWI, First Lady Edith Wilson brought a flock of sheep onto the white house lawn to let them graze and keep the grass trimmed. She and Woodrow Wilson later auctioned off the sheep’s wool, donating all the proceeds ($50,000) to the Red Cross. They also came up with “Wheatless Tuesdays” and “Meatless Wednesdays,” to introduce food rationing and conservation. This same type of progressive thinking (using the White House lawn as a resource and a place to gather) is happening now in this virtual project of which you are a part … Tyler Hubby & Gabriella Tollman the mimes say: (_____________________________________________)