--- Pursuing Happiness in a Time of Terror transformed currencies by Johnny Carrera

Salem State College Winfisky Gallery

Sept. 6-Sept 22, 2005 -- Reception Sept. 14, 2-3pm

Hours: Weekdays: 10-2pm Weekends by Appointment

Lafayette St., Rte 144E/1A Salem, MA 01970 ------------------------------ for more info: 978 542-6999

In God We Trust (detail) 2004

At many times in history, cultures have been shaped by fear. Many proponents of democracy saw the"Reign of Terror" in France and modified their views. Jeremy Bentham, star of the initial "Pursuit of Happiness" show is one such figure. Also, a Yale graduate who was a proponent of common American Speech and who became a Born Again Christian was another example. His name was Noah Webster. He was the first person to publicly call for the creation of a Constitution and the first person George Washington went to visit in Philadelphia when he arrived to help write the Constitution. But the election of Jefferson as President made it clear to Webster that the stupidity of the American Public would lead to a failed Democracy. As a means to save our country, he created his great dictionary. Following in Webster's footsteps, Johnny Carrera turns his Pursuit of Happiness into a mission. Through a combination of thought, the artifice of craft and humor, and a reminder of what is truly to be feared, he hopes to save society from the debilitating effects of "fear itself."

Source Material from: Bynack, V.P. "Noah Webster's Linguistic Thought and the Idea of an American National Culture." Journal of the History of Ideas, Inc. 45 (1984): 99-114. and Leavitt, Robert Keith; Noah's Ark; New England Yankees and the Endless Quest, Springfield: G.&C. Merriam Company,1947.
Reminders from the last show: Pursuit of Happiness
Jeremy Bentham, famous 18th Century Economist, abanoned more communal economic beliefs after the French Revolution fell into Terror, given the credit of originating the idea that having money leads to happiness.

"United States of Amnesia" 2004

Saddam Hussein may have terrorized his people, but we have come to see he was not a threat to the United States. Come to the show to see who was/is a threat to Freedom and Safety in the U.S.

"Peace Through Understanding; Shred into the Digital Dollar"

Thomas Jefferson, though a more partisan self-promoter than John Adams, we owe him a big Thank-You for insuring the separation of Church and State.