Minnesota State Fair Removes Anti-Trump Crop Art After Artist Was Harassed
The piece, which read “8647” in yellow corn kernels, was taken down at the artist’s request after she was threatened and doxxed by right-wing agitators.
The Minnesota State Fair took down a crop artwork containing an anti-Trump slogan at the artist's request this weekend, after she was doxxed, harassed, and threatened by right-wing agitators, as first reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Against a backdrop of black and red beans, the artwork reads “8647” in yellow corn kernels, a sequence often used in protest of President Donald Trump. To "86" something, in the hospitality industry, means to get rid of it, and "47" has been interpreted as referring to Trump's status as the 47th United States President. After conservative news outlet Alpha News zeroed in on the artist's creation across social media, others allegedly targeted, threatened, and shared the private address and details of the artist, per the Tribune.
The artist has not yet replied to a request for comment. Hyperallergic is not reproducing the artwork image out of concern for their privacy.
Ike Whiting, another participating crop artist who is familiar with the incident, told Hyperallergic that the artist reached out to the fair “with regard to her own safety” after experiencing harassment.
"This particular situation goes way too far," Whiting said. "The need people feel to take matters into their own hands is shocking and unacceptable."
