"Despite the recent statistical decline in violent crime, a national epidemic of fear now fuels the public agenda," according to the exhibit's organizers. "This would suggest that while fewer people are exposed to violent crime, more people are gripped by fears that are shaped by information rather than experience."
This show includes work by 13 artists, including Chicagoan Cynde Schauper's fake TV Guide listings based on actual murders. A selection of high-tech surveillance equipment from New York's Counter Spy Shop will also be displayed, reinforcing awareness of "increasingly elaboarate security systems...and advertisements [that] warn consumers to anticipate their worst fears coming true [and] only confirm our suspicion that we are most definitely not alone." "Clown Traveling West," is a photograph from the "drive-by shootings" of Los Angeles artist Andrew Bush; mounting a still or video camera to the front passenger seat of his car, the artist has accumulated a record of the private lives of Californians as they speed along the strangely isolating public space of freeways.
"Lousy Fear" also includes work by Joe Litzenberger, Kathy Pilat, Ken Rosenthal, Julia Scher, Ned Schwartz with David Alexander, Stephania Serena, Harlan Wallach, Amy Wheeler, Christopher Wool, and Gary Simmons.