<p style="text-align: center;"><b>December 10 – February 26, 2011</b></p>
The title is inspired by the quote from Mary Hirsch: “Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood” and is connected to the use of humor in Silva’s recent work now done in collaboration with his partner in life and art Laura Feece. The “Lovers” element is making reference to Silva’s efforts to produce collaborative work with friends, lovers, and fellow promoters of love - to make work that moves further away from egocentric purposes and promotes working harmoniously to create true, integrity-rich beauty and positive change in the world (a continuing theme in his work). “Lovers &amp; Fighters” together refers back to “Rubber Swords” and the desire to fight societal dysfunction in a light and loving manner.  Silva and Feece give purpose to their work transforming it through their artistic power and skill maintaining the strength and context of the public sphere into the constraints and demands of a gallery. This work is a testament to devotion to the language and mission of art “to facilitate more spiritually enriching interactions.