“Thoughts and Prayers”
“Thoughts and Prayers”
Plastic Jesus Stages Nationwide Body Bag Installation Declaring “USA Democracy RIP 1776–2026”
Street Artist Places Body Bags Across U.S. Cities in Protest Installation
A series of body bags bearing the message “USA Democracy RIP 1776–2026” appeared this week in multiple major U.S. cities as part of a coordinated art installation by Los Angeles–based street artist Plastic Jesus.
The guerrilla project, titled “Thoughts and Prayers,” was staged in public spaces including areas near federal buildings, city halls and civic centers in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Chicago, among others.
Passersby encountering the display expressed reactions ranging from confusion to alarm as the black body bags, positioned in highly visible urban locations, interrupted the routine of daily city life.
According to the artist, the installation is intended as a symbolic commentary on the state of American democracy. By pairing the nation’s founding year, 1776, with a projected end date of 2026, Plastic Jesus suggests the country is facing a critical turning point marked by political division, institutional strain and growing public disillusionment.
The title “Thoughts and Prayers” references what the artist describes as the repetitive and often criticized political response to mass shootings and other national tragedies, arguing that expressions of sympathy without legislative action have become formulaic.
“The USA is dying, and our own federal government have their finger on the trigger.”
Plastic Jesus has built an international reputation for provocative public works that combine satire with pointed political commentary. His previous installations include unauthorized “No Kardashian Parking” signs placed in celebrity neighborhoods as a critique of fame culture, “Trump Internment Camp” warning signs installed near public buildings during the Trump administration to draw attention to immigration policy, and a life-size sculpture depicting Kanye West as Jesus that sparked debate about celebrity worship and religion.
Based in Los Angeles, the artist’s work frequently appears without prior announcement in prominent public locations, blurring the line between protest and performance art. His projects often engage with politics and popular culture, using stark imagery to provoke public discussion beyond traditional gallery settings.
NOTE : Pictures and video coming soon...
Media inquiries:
Plastic Jesus (Artist)
email - info@plasticJesus.net
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Website www.plasticjesus.net
Press release and archive images..
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OgTJo5qOc_d5w3CF83btPusJIIze8BvD?usp=drive_link
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