Revoke.
Revoke - officially cancel (a decree, decision, or promise).
Revoke. The Seventeenth artwork from the Law on the Wall series by Lawyers Arts Club.
The title Revoke is taken from the Coronavirus Act 2020 SCHEDULE 22.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A SINGLE WORD
The single word that is revoke has evolved massively since the start of the pandemic. What was once a simple word, meaning to officially cancel something is now diverse and has individual meaning for each person. It definitely still remains true to its original meaning, however it has also been rebranded as “for the safety of you and those around you”.
Peterloo Massacre by Robert Carlile, 1819
WHAT LAW IS ON THE WALL?
The Coronavirus Act 2020 is the law that allows the secretary of state to revoke this act for the sake of public interest.
Coronavirus Act 2020 (c. 7) SCHEDULE 22. Powers to issue directions relating to events, gatherings and premises 3 (2) If, having made a declaration under this paragraph, the Secretary of State ceases to be of the view mentioned in sub-paragraph (1), the Secretary of State must revoke the declaration.
SARAH EVERARD
In March 2021, Sarah Everard was tragically kidnapped and murdered by police officer Wayne Couzens. 3 days after the heartbreaking discovery of Sarah Everard’s remains, vigils were created all around the country in remembrance. The whole ordeal sparked the long overdue debate of women's safety on the streets. The vigils turned into a representation of women standing up to the fear of walking alone in the streets due to the actions of some diabolical men. The organisers of the vigil’s nationwide initially were denied by the government to congregate under the Coronavirus Act. Edinburgh and Cardiff demonstrations were revoked and moved online, however many others still went ahead.
If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.
THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
The entertainment industry is one part of our lives that has been hit hardest by the governments power to revoke events. Many musicians only source of income from following their dreams is the ability to play live. Streaming sites now dominate the world of music consumption, and they pay such a small amount to artists for the amount of times people listen to their songs. Therefore ticket sales are what enables our favourite artists to keep going. With the Coronavirus Act saw the end of concerts as they are mass gatherings. Not only has the musicians been effected but many small independent venues have been forced to close due to their lack of income. In response to this many artists hosted live-streamed concerts to raise money for multiple different causes. Not only did this allow musicians to grow their audience whilst stuck at home, but it helped provide for charities like the NHS and #saveourvenues.
Kill thy physician, and the fee bestow Upon the foul disease. Revoke thy gift; Or, whilst I can vent clamour from my throat, I’ll tell thee thou dost evil
𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙥_3/20_𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 by Jason Revok x Louis Buhl
REVOK REVOKING
In an ad campaign in 2018, large retailer H&M filmed a model doing a backflip by a wall in which Jason Revok Williams had spray painted. Revok sent a letter of cease and desist towards the video, requesting that the store do not use his copyrighted artwork in their advertisements. H&M responded threatening to file a lawsuit against Revok, they explained that he could not copyright something that was done illegally. After a long debate on the issue and many of H&M’s social media followers boycotting the company the retailer eventually stood down. So in theory, in the case of H&M, Jason Revok was revoking.
Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.
WHY IS REVOKE IMPORTANT IN 2021 AN BEYOND?
Having lived through a global pandemic and multiple national lockdowns the word revoke has more connotations to it than ever before. It might seem awful to think back to the times we were isolated from the world around us. When all our plans and aspirations were revoked for what seemed like an eternity. Now, in the post-lockdown world of 2021, it is crucial that we don’t just see the governments power to revoke as a burden on our lives, but actually a contributing factor in fighting the spread of Coronavirus.
REVOKE MATTERS
Revoke matters now more than it ever has. Whether you agree or not with the powers that be, society is now much more aware that something can be revoked at the drop of a hat. There are two sides to every coin, the fear of an event being shut down has ensured that COVID safety measures are met to the highest degree at most of these destinations. However, is it really okay to use this fear as a way to ensure that the requirements are met?
The Card Players, 1895 - Paul Cezanne
WHY REVOKE?
This is when the Secretary of State Revoked the Coronavirus Act 2020. Whilst in the darkest times of the pandemic this emergency legislation did save lives. The focus shifted from a divided nation leaving the EU to a unified effort to protect this country. However, many people believe the Secretary of State should no longer have the power to stop events from taking place based on the power of the Coronavirus Act.
WHY WE GATHER
We are social beings that rely on cooperation to survive and thrive. We gather for worship, for celebration, for comfort and for business.
Human beings are a social species that relies on cooperation to survive and thrive. ... Understanding cooperation — what motivates it, how it develops, how it happens and when it fails to happen — is therefore an important part of understanding all kinds of human behaviour.
THE HOME SECRETARY
Revoke is taken from the section in the Coronavirus Act that allows Priti Patel, the Secretary of State, to revoke the legislation that allows large scale events. As the Right Honourable MP has so much power of these events it is important to understand the role that the Home Secretary has to play in UK government. The Home Secretary is responsible for the Home Office and is a representative of the Home Islands. Before the pandemic they would have the oversight of the ministerial team. They also have a influential role in the National Security Committee, and an oversight of the Security Service sector. When the pandemic hit, Patel was entrusted with overall responsibility for the Home Office response to COVID-19 including health measures at the border and police powers to enforce lockdown.
Bohemia isn’t somewhere an artist runs to escape society. It’s a place where like-minded artists gather to plot the downfall of dogma and ignorance.
PROTESTS
It is safe to say that the constant changes of laws and legislations left both the public and authorities incredibly confused. One avenue of the law protects freedom of expression, giving people the right to protest. Whereas the new Coronavirus Act restricted people from doing so. In a letter addressed to theHome Secretary back in January 2021, more than 60 MPs called for a change in legislation to allow protests during lockdown. This came from a sense of disappointment for the government clarity of the new rules throughout the country. The letter states “The police have no legal certainty as to their duties and powers, protestors have no legal certainty as to their rights, and there is inconsistent application of the Regulations across the country. This cannot continue,"
INTERACTIVE ART THAT SPARKS DISCUSSION
This is an on going, interactive artwork to keep people engaged with the law and the discussion that comes from it.
CLAPHAM COMMON VIGIL
Clapham Common saw the biggest vigil and the largest turnout. The peaceful protest was attended by hundreds of people, even Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge showed her support by visiting the bandstand where the mass congregated. The legislation that prevented us from meeting stated that it was forbidden unless for ‘reasonable excuses’. The chance to stand up for a woman’s right to feel safe. A chance to mourn and celebrate the life of a successful woman. A chance to stand unified after a year of lockdown. Honestly, If that is not a reasonable excuse then the law presented was unclear and incredibly ambiguous. It is obvious that the law is convoluted and confused by the reaction of the police to this event. Four people were arrested for public-order offences against the Coronavirus Act 2020, some with an over use of force when not necessary.
Photograph of forceful arrest at Clapham Vigil for Sarah Everard
JASON REVOK WILLIAMS
Jason Revoke is an American artist who began his career at a young age in the California graffiti scene back in the 1990s. Now a fully fledged artist his style in synonymous around the globe as he challenges the traditional and experiments with shapes and colours. As well as working at his own studio, Revok is a part of both the renowned graffiti collectives Seven Letter and Mad Society Kings. Seventh Letter consists of famous graffiti artists who create murals around the city of Los Angeles.
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