Intro: 100 words
In this essay, the subject of the relationship between art throughout time and political activism will be explored along with the tactical potential of political art with regards to the spreading of political movements and ideas. The dichotomy between the idea that all art acts as some form of activism and the concept of art of existing purely as an aesthetic entity, or in some way independent of the artist’s original intentions, will be an interesting topic to address also, specifically relating to the well-known artist Banksy and his impact on activism in current art.
Origination of activism; Propaganda: 500 words
To find out more about activism, we go back to its roots in propaganda. Propaganda originated in the Christian religion, it was first documented in 1622 when the pope introduced it as a way to propagate the religion their beliefs. (Congregatie voor de Evangelisatie van de Volkeren, 2016) This was done because critics have challenged the Christian beliefs, teachings and actions. In the early years of Christianity (250-300) a philosopher named Porphyry criticises the believe with his book Against the Christians. Voluminous writings like those of Porphyry led to the Christian believe having to use the first forms of propaganda. (Britannica, 2017)
In the 20th century the notion of propaganda received a more negative aspect. This came to be because of the unilateral, incomplete and concealing of false information or false information from the political system to affect political views. (Zeepfabriek, 2014)
A lot of the first propaganda used by the Germans was advanced in newspapers, this way the message would reach a large sum of people. Relating back to the negative aspect of propaganda that could be used to deceit the nation, through a usually reliable source of the press. Newspapers used to employ a few artists and draftsmen, they tried to depict the war situation in a cynical way. The way these were portrayed were dependant on the political preference of the newspaper.
Figure 1: De Notenkraker, 8th of April 1933 by Albert Hahn.
Figure 2: Menschheid en Ras 8th of April 1933 by R.B.
These pieces of propaganda were printed as a cover and inside of a Dutch newspaper, these images were there to portray the Germans in a negative light. The use of expression, the swastika, dark colours and comparison between humanists and Hitler make these images lobby against the Germans and their diluted vision towards racism, Jews and violence.
Propaganda was also used in other countries like the Soviet Union, North-Korea and Iraq. In these instances, you could also describe the propaganda as indoctrination; a form of manipulation to systematic and one-sided teaching of disputable beliefs or beliefs, with the intention that they be accepted without any form of criticism. (Indoctrinatie,2016)
After the war propaganda was used to change political views and stand up against political regimes. For example, propaganda created by civilians incited demonstrations in countries like Latvia. In January of 1991 people gathered in Riga to one of the first permitted demonstrations, with demonstrators carrying posters with propaganda on them. (Art as activism, 1987)
Figure 3: Curator Marta Sylvestrová and artist Gunárs Lusis marched in this demonstration for Latvian independence. Riga, 25th of January, 1991. Photo by Uldis Briedis.
As the people’s revolution swept across Europe, an open political fight began. The use of propaganda played an unforgettable role in this. (Art as activism, 1987) Not only professional artists but also anonymous amateurs used propaganda in the form of posters to express their feelings and catch people their attention for change.
Activism in the 21st century: 500 words
Before diving straight into activism in the 21st century, it is important to know what activism itself is. Activism is a broad term for creative works that are produced by artists, activists and social movements. There are also more contemporary and historical works, like propaganda that can be characterized like activism. These artists produce works like signs, banners, posters, videos and other materials that are used to convey their message. Very often this kind of art is used in demonstrations by civilians and as civil disobedience.
A few of the characteristics of activism art are that they are usually short-term and are often not signed or owned by a person, they often include peace symbols, such as the commonly used raised fist. (Global activism: Art and conflict in the 21st century, 2013-2014)
Activism can also be in the form of performance art, location-specific installations, graffiti and street art. Although some activism is associated with professional artists, knowledge of art is not required to participate or create activism art. It is also not confined to a certain region or country, but is used all over the world.
You could also class politically charged works of art, such as Picasso’s Guernica, which can be counted as activism. “ Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction.” -Pablo Picasso (Pablo Picasso and his paintings, 2009)
Figure 4: Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso.
Activism is used for a wider audience now compared to when it started out in the early 1600’s. Popular subjects for activism right now are for example; against the use of drugs, feminism, animal cruelty and voting. Each targeting a different demographic and social “problem”. (Global activism: Art and conflict in the 21st century, 2013-2014)
However, there is still necessity for subjects like war, because unfortunately in particular parts of the world, for example Israel there is still an active war. Which means there are still two sides, and both sides would like to influence the public to act. For example, Figure 5, showing an Israeli helicopter detonating a bomb on a young child holding a teddy bear. The philosophy behind such image, is to shock, invigilate the need of change, to awaken a sense of necessity inside us.
Figure 5: Israeli Apartheid week, Latuff 2009.
Figure 6: Slut walk NYC, Dave Bledsoe, 21 October 2011.
Another example of the activism that is relevant in the 21st century is cultivated around feminism and sexism. (Amira, D., & Sergeyev, K. ,2011) In recent years, feminism has helped reached more equality between woman and men, this has been achieved by using activism; marches, posters, social media movements and the use of art is involved with all of these methods. Art makes spreading the word and philosophy of a movement easier and more accessible to everyone.
Comparison to propaganda from the war and activism in the 21st century: 500 words
All art acts as a sort of activism: 500 words
Artists that have put activism on the map: 500 words
Conclusion: 500 words
Bibliography
Amira, D., & Sergeyev, K. (2011, October 03). Not Asking for It: Scenes From SlutWalk NYC – Slideshow – Daily Intel. Retrieved from http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2011/10/not_asking_for_it_scenes_from.html
Art as activism. (1987). Cambridge, MA: Woman of Power.
Banksy: The Bristol legacy. Bristol: Redcliffe.Greer, B. (2014).
Bernays, E. L. (2005). Propaganda. Brooklyn, NY: Ig Publ.
Boie. (2009). BAVO, too active to act. Polemisch pamflet over kunst en maatschappij. Amsterdam: Valiz.
Boler, M. (2008). Digital Media and Democracy: Tactics in hard times. Cambridge (MA): MIT Press.Gough, P. (2012).
Britannica, T. E. (2017, January 19). Porphyry. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Porphyry-Syrian-philosopher#ref142562
Congregatie voor de Evangelisatie van de Volkeren. (2016, January 09). Retrieved from https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congregatie_voor_de_Evangelisatie_van_de_Volkeren
Craftivism: The craft of craft and activism. Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press.Lekakis, E. (2018, April 30).
Fabrique – Merken. (2016). Propaganda & Beeldvorming. Retrieved from http://www.eerstewereldoorlog.nu/tijdlijn/propaganda-en-beeldvorming/
Geheugen van Nederland. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/nl/geheugen/results?facets[collectionStringNL][]=Propagandadrukwerk en voorlichtingsmateriaal uit WO2&page=4&maxperpage=36&coll=ngvn
Library of published newspapers during the war.
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Indoctrinatie. (2016, September 27). Retrieved
from https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoctrinatie
Pablo Picasso and his paintings. (2009) Retrieved from https://www.pablopicasso.org/
Philosophy of Activism. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sites.psu.edu/comeonup/philosophy-of-activism/
Re-framing art activism? (New) research approaches to art and politics. Retrieved from http://reframe.sussex.ac.uk/activistme- dia/2018/04/re-framing-art-activism-new-research-approaches-to- art-and-politics/
Turner, M. (1996). The noble art of politics political cartoons, 1994-96. Belfast: Blackstaff Press in association with Irish Times Books.Weibel, P., Chomsky, N., Negri, A., Sloterdijk, P., & Žižek, S. (2015).
Zeepfabriek: Britse propaganda in de Eerste Wereldoorlog. (2014, July). Retrieved from https
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Images
Figure 1: De Notenkraker, 8th of April 1933 by Albert Hahn.
Source: De Notenkraker weekblad.
Figure 2: Menschheid en Ras 8th of April 1933 by R.B.
Source: De notenkraker weekblad.
Figure 3: Curator Marta Sylvestrová and artist Gunárs Lusis marched in this demonstration for Latvian independence. Riga, 25th of January, 1991. Photo by Uldis Briedis.
Source: Art as activism.
Figure 4: Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso.
Source: https://www.pablopicasso.org/guernica.jsp
Figure 5: Israeli Apartheid week, Latuff 2009.
Source: https://imgur.com/rEeck
Figure 6: Slut walk NYC, Dave Bledsoe, 21 October 2011.
Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuipoet/6200738561/in/photostream/
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