The Yes Men to Speak at UW April 15

The University of Wyoming Department of Art and Art History will host activist duo The Yes Men Friday, April 15, at 7 p.m. in the Visual Arts Building classroom and lobby. A reception will follow. The events are free and open to the public.

The Yes Men, Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, aim to raise awareness about problematic and political issues in today’s society.

According to the group’s website, “Their main goal is to focus attention on the dangers of economic policies that place the rights of capital before the needs of people and the environment. Right now, they're focused on passing carbon emissions laws in the USA.”

The duo has worked to expose dangers by impersonating various corporations including the World Trade Organization, Dow Chemical Corp. and the Bush administration.

The Yes Men have appeared at various business events, on TV programs and on the streets. Through their activism, three documentaries have been made about them -- two of them, titled “The Yes Men” and “The Yes Men Fix the World,” have won awards. The documentaries have been shown in art exhibitions at the Whitney Biennial, the Venice Biennale and ARS Electronica, among others.

The duo’s workshop, “Making Meaningful Mischief,” will explain how to attract media attention for low-budget or no-budget activist campaigns. Attendees should come prepared to brainstorm ideas for their own actions.

The Visual Arts Building is located on the corner of 22nd and Willett Drive in Laramie. Free parking is available after 5 p.m. on the north and south sides of the Visual Arts Building.