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Miniluv
NYC and Upstate New York | 2023 – present
An attractive campaign devoid of context
The Miniluv project uses short poetic phrases to satirize slogans, branding, and human behavior.
Mixing the language of Orwell’s newspeak, advertising, self help, and escapism, the phrases are vague and symbolic, eliciting interpretations that reflect the viewer’s core self and identity.
So far, the campaign has produced both physical and virtual ephemera, including billboards, posters, murals, newspaper centerfolds, pins, and t-shirts.
“It’s a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.”
– Syme, 1984
“The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness, and for the great bulk of mankind, happiness is better.”
– O’Brien, 1984
“Vallone suggested replacement text for the mural to read, ‘Dancing in the moonlight, #kingharvest,’ referencing the song by the same name. The River Reporter asked him what the significance was of that song as a replacement. ‘Feel good, baby,” he said. “Peaceful and joyful celebration of life.’”
“It’s art to you, but it’s bullshit to the rest of us!”
– heckler at mural reception, Roscoe, NY
In early March 2026, after seven months of censorship efforts, the Miniluv mural in Roscoe, NY was destroyed, without notice. A lawsuit is pending in the Southern District of New York.
“It’s air, you know. It’s just there. There’s no choice. You have to breathe, so you have to use Helvetica.”
– Erik Spiekermann
ABOUT
Miniluv was created by Seth Indigo Carnes and originally co-curated as an intervention titled “2024” with Rodney Harder at the 2023 Deep Water Literary Festival in Narrowsburg, New York, where the work of George Orwell was the theme. The project continued with a mural in Roscoe, NY that was censored and destroyed, leading to pending litigation focused on the protection of free speech and artist rights. The project remains in progress.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The following artist statement was written for the public reception of the Miniluv mural on 8/3/25 in Roscoe, NY, in connection to threats to vandalize, erase, and otherwise remove the mural:
View the PDF
LEGAL FILINGS
Concerning the Miniluv mural in Roscoe, NY, the following is a legal complaint filed in the US District Court, Southern District of New York, on 4/1/26, focused on a civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to redress suppression of Plaintiff’s protected artistic and political expression in violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, sections 8 and 11 of the New York Constitution, and an action under the Visual Artists Rights Act, 17 U.S.C. § 106A, to redress the destruction of Plaintiff’s work of visual art.
RELEVANT LINKS
Time to…Read the Constitution: Artistic Expression is Protected Speech, National Coalition Against Censorship, June 4, 2026.
Art, Free Speech, and Community Conflict in Roscoe, WJFF Catskill Radio, April 21, 2026.
Destruction of controversial Roscoe mural raises questions of free speech, community character, River Reporter, April 20, 2026 .
Un-muraled: Community backlash leaves mural half-finished in Roscoe, River Reporter, August 4, 2025.
Support free speech! Stop the censorship of a contemporary art mural in Roscoe, NY!, MoveOn.org petition started by the publisher of ArtKill magazine.
THANK YOU
Rodney Harder, Aaron Hicklin and the Deep Water Literary Festival, the town of Narrowsburg, NY, Laurie Stuart and The River Reporter, Ariel Shanberg and Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA). Jeff Kinkle of Kinkle Law. The National Coalition Against Censorship and Arts Equity Group. Teresa Tulipano. Robyn Almquist and Artkill Magazine. Ali Azios / Marcus Brooks and New Memories.
