Art History: History of the Artist-Presidency

An interview with an Abraham Lincoln impersonator on the streets of Chicago.

00:35Copy video clip URL Title card: “Art History: History of the Artist-Presidency.” 

00:58Copy video clip URL On the sidewalk outside of George Mitchell’s Artist’s Snack Shop, a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln walks by.

01:12Copy video clip URL Interview with the Lincoln impersonator. Trying to make money playing Lincoln: talking about Lincoln’s presidency, delivering his speeches, talking with school kids: “I’m just going to talk to the children and tell them that a hundred years later I’m not sure that I like what’s going on. And because I’m gonna ask them not to smoke that first marijuana or take the goof pill. Don’t tear down the body’s soul character and the life.” 

02:47Copy video clip URL Being blind and having health problems.

03:41Copy video clip URL Enjoying “playing” Abraham Lincoln. Telling children that he’s glad that the country is no longer divided but that “just because a person is born doesn’t mean that the world owes them a living.” Lincoln’s perseverance. 

04:25Copy video clip URL Trying to find “Reagan’s office” so he can “walk in and say hello.” 

04:49Copy video clip URL Lincoln walks away. 

05:58Copy video clip URL End of video.