Why is Art Activism? - Wendy Vega Alva

 

In Chongqing city in Southwest China, performed by a couple artistic activists staged a marriage in the horrible air quality China was going through. The couple in the imagine wearing gas masks, enhancing the harmful chemicals the cities people where inhaling. 

This is a form of activism because it brought attention to the air quality of the city. Citizens not being able to enjoy moments such as a wedding due to how bad the air was. Which after this was performed, it didn’t provoke an authorities, a peaceful protest about the air quality. 

Traffic Mines is focused on the dangers of paying attention on the road and following law rules. In 1995, Antanas Mockus faced many challenges but his biggest one was the problems with traffic congestion. Car accidences happening very frequently, people ignoring important signs and laws which created a lot of chaos in Bogota, Colombia. Instead of Mockus installing more traffic signs, heavier fines, he hired 420 mines to direct traffic. Which, worked i his benefit and traffic fatalities were dropped by over 50 percent!!

This is a form of activism because instead of Mockus going against the issue with an aggressive attack, that he knows is just going to angry the citizens of his city; he fought back with comedy. The bright clothes and painted faces caught the attention of the drivers. Due to the comedy having a positive affect on the citizens, the tactic worked in Mockus´s favor and fatalities dropped dramátically. 

WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM? David Gonzalez

 

Garett Reppenhagen, former U.S. Army sniper and chairman of the IVAW. “We wanted a demonstration that depicted what we wanted to show people. . .. I don’t have to talk to them, I don’t have to show them a piece of literature. They can see what we are doing and see that the soldiers in Iraq are going through a hell of a time and the occupation is just really oppressive and violent.”

This artwork shows soldiers demonstrating the chaos and protest they deal with every day in the middle east. Their hardships in going to war and coming back home is not often acknowledged or even expressed.

What is Art Activism? It is a combination of art and an active movement to bring about a social or political change. This can be done when creative art is through media, when people spread these artworks, and when people are aware of the injustice.

"Mixing a street protest with an art piece was a stroke of brilliance. Since it didn’t look like a political protest to the authorities, no activists were arrested."

    I can agree disguises activism with everyday graffiti is a good way to show the artwork to the public and not draw attention to authorities. Like how Banksy does his work on the streets, and he is hard to track down.

 

WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM-Christopher McVicar

 

Alfredo Jaar: 24-Hour Museum Installation

    Alfredo Jaar's piece mobilizes the harmony of human emotion with the destruction of disaster. Having been installed in Skoghall Sweden, a place governed by social democracy, things like housing and jobs are made available for everyone. Seemingly everything prevented by the inequities of capitalism are provided, except for a museum. Displaying local artists' work for a brief twenty-four hours, the installation was then violently burnt to the ground, raising concerns about the integrity of Jaar's intention. But yet, the act aligns greatly with the core values of a social democratic regime. Because of collective action, it was announced by Skoghall's mayor following the collapse, that the people desired to construct a permanent museum, for the common cause of reliving a past experience. The architect becomes an activist to voice the need for a permanent institution of cultural significance in Skoghall. 

"When the economy of information is one of scarcity, knowledge does equal power." Page 22

    Knowledge is only powerful for those who can provide and abuse it. In today's day and age, we can look at social media algorithms to understand how manipulative a newsfeed can be, yet how weak one can feel having access to knowledge. Those of relative privilege in armchair position decide which topics amuse us. This illusion of what's important singlehandedly spreads a false narrative that "knowledge is power." Sayings like such are what enables people to say things like "we shall overcome," but these sayings are proof that a system has failed you. Think about how much harder an immigrant has to work to receive an American education. Failing to overcome language barriers can be downright draining, belittling one's self esteem for not assimilating. One's native linguistic structure can be entirely different from American English, yet they are expected to OVERCOME and forget everything they have once known to receive an A++. 

"In our world, the sublime is in the service of capitalism and hierarchy." Page 27

    The power one beholds from an artistic activist standpoint is often wasted. We are taught that art is something "special," and separate from our everyday lives, only to create class conflict. Artists simply portray their environments and interpretations on what goes on around them. But in a system where corruption is incentivized for profit, the secondary art market exploits artists name, image, and likeness to attain more capital. In a perfect society, where artists gain notoriety for solely their talent and activist voice rather than value, the starving artist narrative would be less relevant. 

    

What is Art Activism? - Chahinaze Mama

                                                          Art Of Activism - Quotes 

- "Most people would not define themselves as activists either. Yet, in a sense, we all do forms of activism every day: organizing a group of people to go to a movie or picking a restaurant; lobbying parents for extra screen-time or your boss for a raise; talking a friend out of a bad relationship."  

    I agree with this quote because many of us going into this class mentioned that we didn't see ourselves as activist. we mainly associated it with going to protests or addressing an issue. However, activism is more than just that. we partake in activism unknowingly in our daily lives. This quote gives examples of forms of activism such as organizing a group of people to go to the movie. There are a variety of ways activism is used whether we realize we are portraying it or not. 

- "When used by activists, the phrase “stepping of the curb” refers to the moment that one leaves the sidewalk and enters the street to join a protest, but in a broader sense it means making the step from passive indifference into active engagement."

    I think "stepping of the curb" is a powerful phrase showing the impact of joining a protest can have on addressing an issue. It shows the beginning and start of coming together to address an issue. Protests are known to have a big impact. They are also an important part when it comes to citizens voicing their opinion. Because it is a powerful expression, I think a lot of courage is needed to be a part of one. 

                                                                What is Art Activism?

   
      Art Activism is art being used to shed light on an issue. An example can be posters billboards or flyers. Art Activism is a good way to protest and grab the viewers' attention. Over years Art activism has proven to be powerful and creative way to bring change. Because art activism is so expressive it gives the creator the freedom and creativity to be able to portray a message within the artwork. 

This Artwork is art activism because it is displaying a message to an audience. Artistic activist Dara Greenwald and her friends joined a parade and printed a radical newspaper to strike for higher wage. 

What is Art Activism - Andrew Diaz

 1. "Activism moves the material world, while art moves the heart, body, and soul."

The book explains that Activism here takes literal action for protest communities to rebel against the injustice of the world. It takes so much muscle power to push forward in a rebel group of activists of trying to bring in more new dedicated members to take down system. The art meanwhile is demonstrated as a way to show the audience of what protesters are fighting for. The art becoming a creative symbol that speaks and motivates people in the right direction for a good cause of making the world a better place to live on.

2. "Art allows us to say things that can't be said, to give form to abstract feelings and ideas and present them in such ways that they can be communicated with others."

This quote really stuck with me personally because art can make us do anything with our imagination. It demonstrates freedom and creativity by expressing your true feelings and desires even if it's on a piece of paper. It communicates with the audience and how it perceives to them and how they feel about it. That's why art has an important role in Activism Art by expressing the nature and goodwill of activist groups.

This image is from page 43 of the book, The words and the image in the background here sends quite a powerful and negative emotion and tone. Alfredo Jaar didn't see the big deal in the museum even when people started to exhibit their own art and just decided to burn it all down while saving the art. That's when the activism starts where the mayor calls Jaar after he left town to inform him that the citizens have started petitioning the government to rebuild the museum they only have known for one day. As well as having Jaar back as the architect. It just proves communities like the town "Skoghall" will do everything in their power to save something they cherished so much and hope share that experience with everybody else.

What is Art Activism? - Albert De La Cruz

 “Art is highly effective at translating events, facts, and ideologies into stories, images, and performances, making objective things into subjective forms we can experience, feel, and, importantly, remember."

Art can turn big ideas and events into personal stories that we can connect with. Instead of just reading about something or hearing facts, art allows us to feel it deeply. For example, a painting of a historical event can make us understand the emotions behind it or a movie can show us a perspective we hadn’t considered. Art helps us remember and relate to things in a way that facts alone can’t make the world around us feel more real and meaningful.

“Art can do all sorts of amazing things: it can inspire, horrify,

alter our perspectives, and allow us to imagine things that seemed

unimaginable.”

This quote shows how powerful art can be. It’s not just about creating something beautiful, art can make us think differently. Whether it’s a painting, a song, or a performance, art helps us see the world in new ways. It could  bring out emotions and ideas we didn’t even know we had. It reminds us that art isn’t just decoration, it's a way to feel and explore things beyond our everyday lives.

Art activism is when artists use their creativity to push for change and speak out. It’s not just about creating something beautiful, it’s about making people think, raising awareness, and inspiring action. From paintings and performances to powerful installations, art activism uses creativity to challenge what’s wrong in the world and bring attention to things that need to change.

Lauren Woods’ artwork is a drinking fountain with a built-in video screen that plays footage of 1960s civil rights protests before dispensing water. Woods’ drinking fountain is art as activism because it turns an everyday object into a powerful statement on racial injustice. By playing civil rights videos before giving water, it makes people remember the struggle for racial equality. It’s not just art to look at, it’s art that makes you stop, think, and reflect on how far we’ve come and how much work is left to do. (Page 45-46)

What is Art Activism - Rocco Francisco

 Reading Quotes

"Art is highly effective at translating events, facts, and ideologies into stories, images, and performances, making objective things into subjective forms we can experience, feel, and, importantly, remember." (Page 25)

     Art is able to tap into a subjective medium, that being emotionally driven, from something that could be treated as matter-of-fact. Often people describe knowledge and events as "boring," preferring to stay in places that offer entertainment or satisfaction. Art takes something that someone may treat as "dull" and offer it in a medium that is easier to digest and enjoy. A message can then be extrapolated from this art, creating a strong potential in activism. Where one person may be disinterested in an activist fact, they may find more engagement from activist art, with the latter proving incredibly useful in helping drive change.

"At first glance, these aims seem at odds with one another. Activism moves the material world, while art moves the heart, body, and soul. But effect and affect can be complementary. " (Page 29)

    There is something to be said about how effective art activism is because of this subversion of expectation. People may expect activism to stay formal, and others may imagine art not to focus on activist aspects. Both things create influences on life, and work together in ways that are easy to ignore. The combination of an objective and subjective medium creates a space that is as intriguing as it is effective: art activism captures attention while calling for change.

What is Art Activism?

    Art activism is the usage of art as an involved vessel used to call for change. Art, through its subjective appeal and emotion acts as a force to drive the objective of an activist message forward. The relationship between art and activism here is one that creates a product that is able to appeal to viewers and urge them to move towards change. There is a range to be had here, with art activism sometimes learning in the direction of art, and at other times leaning in the direction of activism.

    This piece from page 35 of the book refers to that of Chinese cities, specifically that of the War on Smog. The art surrounding the War on Smog performance piece in 2014 is powerful in the fact that it depicts the event in a way that draws attention to it. There is an emotional draw to the piece that brings people into it, and urges the audience to both look into the issue.

What is Art Activism Post - Shayna Pullo

 

UNDOCUBUS

The “Undocubus” was created in 2012 by a group of undocumented immigrant activists who bought an old bus to take on a road trip through the Southern United States to protest local anti-immigration laws. I think that this is one the perfect examples for activist art since we are using art to engage with people and that's when the undocumented immigrant gets the chance to be heard by local people. They are sending a message in a beautiful way which is art and the comparison with butterflies that annually migrate through North America, from Canada, through the United States to Mexico, and back again. 

Many artists who create activism art become the visual symbol of a movement. Art activism is defending our rights and equality as every human being deserves. We fight to receive equal respect. Art in activism is the perfect tool to reach people's hearts. Which will help us to be truly heard and reach many more people.

“To create a new world, we need to imagine what that world looks like” 

I think this phrase is deeper than it sounds. Many people are busy with different types of entertainment, such as telephones, places, songs, which is valid since the point of life is to live it the way we like and do the things we like, but sometimes we get too wrapped up in what we like. We stop looking at our problems and the problems around us that also need our time to be improved. Sometimes it can be more difficult than it seemed to support activism or ourselves with a problem that we are going through, since we have accustomed our body to being comfortable and away from our problems.

“He told her stories of the discrimination he faced, but also of how he organized with other workers to demand better wages and conditions and restore his sense of pride.”

One of the strongest reasons for “stepping off the curb” is that we have experienced an injustice towards ourselves or our family members. Since it is something that affects us personally and emotionally; Then we feel the desire to be heard and help others affected by a similar situation.

What is Art Activism? - Kobi-Lee Sanchez

 

Art Activism can be considered a wide range of media and issues. The Authors Duncombe and Lambert go on to expose the reader to different types of art and media that people had created in order to protest the issues within their country. They explain how demonstrations such as the TV and the water fountain gained attention and awareness to those who were segregated and couldn't have the same opportunities as others. It forces you to watch protests about civil rights and equality while making you think back to a time that people could've been in the same position if the change was not fought for. Another Activist utilized News Media to inform others about political information but instead of regular news format they used rap and music to connect to the younger crowd. With the "War on Smog" in China, the activist organized a parade to protest the government and their lack of action when it came to the people's quality of life. This shows that Activism Art can be anything, it can be a poster or it can be a grand performance as long as it connects people to the experiences that they also can relate to and call out the issues that are ongoing. Art Activism just has to invoke change and create motivation for a movement by the community to occur. 

It is a dynamic hybrid of art and activism, which can be a shifting point on the line between the poles of affect and effect. It is the form of art that addresses political or social issues that wants to create social change.

Journal Rappé

This Art Activism was started by Cheikh Keyti Sene and Makhtar Xuman inspired by Y'en a Marre who had started the rap-infused youth movement in Senegal in 2011. They made a twist on the idea of rap and activism by featuring the rap on a news program that would target the attention of youth's as political-talk was ignored by many due to the corrupted government. The youth made up 60% of the population and they provided them with a long form investigated report in rap form which included the current news. It created a spark of movement which spread to other countries in West Africa, East Africa and even Vietnam.

This is a piece of Art Activism because they used a creative media that pulls the community to become aware of what is happening around them. The community would avoid all things government related due to the abuse of power and corruption that filled the government but Keyti and Xuman still targeted the community to push awareness and hopefully as people become more educated of the social and political injustices within their country, it will incline them to ask "what can I do?" 

2 Quotes:

"The mayor told him that the citizens of the town, for the first time ever, had petitioned the town government to request something themselves: that a permanent museum be built and they wanted Jarr to be the architect."

I think this was a powerful movement, Alfredo Jarr made the people of Skoghall, Sweden feel special by allowing them to bring art and look at each others art. After this, he burns the museum to the ground which invoke emotions of anger and frustration within the city. However, these people realized they shouldn't be upset with Jarr but rather petition and request for a new museum to be built. This shows how Art Activism has to be personal and show people what are missing or should already have as a community and pushes them to change the world around them.

"Mike Cantrell said. “But, to force people to wait forty-five seconds to get a drink, you basically make that water fountain inoperable.” “I think it’s OK to wait forty-five seconds for water,” fellow Commissioner John Wiley Price said. “Some of us have waited forty-five years and longer.”"

This was a funny quote to insert, they show the different perspectives when it came to the political art of Lauren Woods and her Water Fountain Activism. I think that in order to create awareness, sometimes the viewer shouldn't have a choice in what the performance or act is. If it was just a TV screen and no fountain, then no one would watch it. However, since the fountain and TV are connected and you are forced to watch a video for 40 seconds, it makes people realize that in order for everyone to use one fountain instead of segregated fountains, protesters were fighting for this convenience and equality.

What is Art Activism Post- Ashleigh Hall

 

Soleil Levant by Ai Weiwei, 2017

Art activism, according to the textbook, is hard to explain because it can either look more like art or look more like activism. It is somewhere in between art and activism. In the space of tension, contradiction, experimentation, and generation is where the practice resides. It lives in the spaces of  being expressive and instrumental, tactical and strategic, timeless and timely. 

Soleil Levant

I chose this artwork because it creates awareness which is what art activism is supposed to do. It creates awareness about political and social issues of the dangers and treacherous journey that refugees endure and for this specific piece was to try and reach Europe. These were life jackets that the refugees wore to try to get to their destination, there were 3500 of them. Some of them were real life jackets that saved people but others were fake and many died in the ocean. This piece opens a conversation and makes people think about the problems that refugees face. 

"The Ancient Greek philosopher Longinus believed that the power of the sublime lay not only in its capacity to provoke awe, but in its ability to persuade. That's why when we are affected by a piece of art we often say it moves us."

I think this is a really interesting point and take on the way our emotions are captured through artworks and visuals within themselves. I think to a certain degree and extent we can somehow relate to the piece of art that had moved us and we can either see the positive or negative experiences/outcomes that the piece pertains to. I never thought of a visual art piece being able to cause persuasion but as I thought more about it, an example in everyday life is a movie trailer being shown for the previews and that preview persuades our idea of whether we think it will be a good movie or not and/or whether we wish to spend our money and our time to go watch it or not.

We're moved by affective experiences to take physical actions that result in concrete effects: affect produces effect. And concrete effects have affective impact, generating personal emotion: effect produces affect.

I never thought of the relationship between effect and affect before as pertaining to art and politics. I think it shows the complexity of human nature and human experiences. Everyone has their own paths to follow and their own reasons for making the decisions that they make and taking the steps that they take. You need one or the other for everything else to follow suit and there will always be a product and end result of affect -> effect/effect -> affect. The relationship will always be there in life and in the relationships you have with others and the experiences you go through.

What is Art Activism? - Patti Fasani

 “The problem with art, from an artistic activist perspective, is that this power is often wasted. A painting hangs on the wall of a museum. It moves us. And then, all too often, we move on.”

“In order for the emotional affect of art to have political effect, art needs to be combined with activism.”

    This is why finding the intersection between art and activism is so important for any art that aims to accomplish material action in regards to political goals. Art, on its own, often isn’t enough to spark any long-term action. It needs to be engaging and involve the audience’s participation in some form to really be impactful, in the same way that activism is more effective when art is involved because it appeals to the human spirit.

What is art activism?

    Art activism is art that’s made to serve as a call to action to its viewers. The intention is to get across a certain message and for the viewers to be inspired to involve themselves with the message being advertised to them. It often shifts the viewer from a passive role into a more active one.

This illustration depicts an event that happened in Bogota, Columbia in 1995, where the mayor hired 420 mimes to direct traffic in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and fatal accidents. Because of this effort, traffic fatalities dropped by 50%. The performance art of dressing up as mimes effectively makes the art interactive which is one of the features of art activism, taking the observer out of a passive role and into an active one. In addition, it manages to not just move people in the moment but shift the culture to a degree, which is illustrated by a significant drop in traffic fatalities. 

WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM? Javier Morales

"When used by activists, the phrase “stepping off the curb” refers to the moment that one leaves the sidewalk and enters the street to join a protest, but in a broader sense it means making the step from passive indifference into active engagement".

Just as the phrase says "stepping off the curb" for me it refers to the first step to join activism and do something different from a daily routine. As the phrase says, instead of following the same road all the time, there is a part when one deviates and decides to be part of what is different.

"We will be the ones to find and reveal The Truth to others". 

The only way to tell the truth above all depends on us as a community and not turn a deaf ear and try to hide the truth from everyone to live in the ignorance, but rather open everyone's eyes and unite, the only way to achieve this is by telling the truth and making a change.

What is art activism?

For me it's a creative way to challenge the social and political norms and a way to try to inspire the people to take action against these problems that happens in the world everyday, whether it be wit a painting, posters, music, or even a performance.   

  

In this image, two famous rappers in Senegal decided to open a YouTube channel using their fame and talent to give a message to young audience by sharing news in a creative way, nothing more, and nothing less than rapping and then they managed to become so well-known in several countries.

WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM? - Joe Chris El Helou

 1- "As a child, Ahmed didn't understand the politics of racism and Islamophobia, but he was hurt, ashamed, angry, and knew this treatment was wrong."

This statement highlights Ahmed's emotional experience with racism and Islamophobia during his childhood, even if he didn't fully grasp the complex political and social dynamics behind it.

2- "Once the truth has been told, everything will change and we will all live happily ever after."

This statement reflects an idealistic belief that revealing the truth can lead to resolution and harmony. It suggests that once the underlying realities whether personal, societal, or historical are acknowledged and addressed, misunderstandings and conflicts will dissipate.  

                        WHAT IS ART ACTIVISM

Artistic Activism is a dynamic practice combing the creative power of the arts to move us emotionally with the strategic planning of activism necessary to bring about social change. Art Activism do different work in the world

What is Art Activism? - Veronica Gomez

 Art activism is the practice of using creative expression as a form of social or political intervention. It combines the visual or performing arts with activism to challenge societal norms, raise awareness, or promote change. Art activists harness the emotional power of art to communicate messages that traditional activism may not fully capture.

• “Art allows us to say things that can’t be said, to give form to abstract feelings and ideas 

and present them in such ways that they can be communicated with others.” (pg.25)

• This quote emphasizes the unique capacity of art to express emotions, concepts, and messages that often elude traditional forms of communication. Art provides a visual and emotional language that can speak to universal experiences or complex issues, fostering empathy and understanding. In activism, where ideas like injustice, inequality, or hope are difficult to articulate through words alone. In this way, art connects our minds and emotions, helping people think more deeply about important topics.

• “In short: Art is an expression that generates affect.” (pg 29)

• This quote captures the essence of art's emotional power. When art generates affect, it provokes emotional responses that can motivate action or change perspectives. It’s not just about what is being represented but how it moves people to feel, think, or act differently. In activism, art sparks strong emotions, making people think about social issues in a more personal and deep way, which encourages them to take action for change.

  
  

  
  ("Artistic activists in Chongqing city in Southwest China, staged a public performance piece in 2014 
  called War on Smog.")

  
  

  WAR ON SMOG

  War on Smog is a creative example of art activism aimed at environmental awareness. It transforms the invisible issue of air pollution into a tangible and visible struggle by portraying smog as an adversary that humanity is at war with. This image serves as a metaphor for the ongoing battle against environmental degradation, showing how art can make the invisible visible, bringing issues to the forefront of public consciousness.

  
  

What is Art Activism? - Ricky Ochoa

Quotes from the Art of Activism

1. "If we are going to build a better world, hell, if we are going to survive as a species, we need to change the world, creatively. Art and activism, together, have the superpower to change the world . . . and all of us are artists and activists."

2. "We’re also taught that art is something 'special,' something separated from our everyday world. Except, of course, that it isn’t. The power of art is used to command high ticket prices or boost the status of particular institutions. In our world, the sublime is in the service of capitalism and hierarchy. But what if we could harness the power of art and apply it to the world-changing potential of activism?"

Responses

1. Art often correlates to activism since it's more than just to look pretty. It gives meaning through color and linework. It usually tells something, whether it is a particular product, a story, or to call out a particular issue in society.

2. I believe that artistic activism should be studied more because of the potential to change how we run society. I mean I know right now that the entertainment industry needs a lot of change due to exposure to poor working conditions and not giving them enough money or credit for their hard work into making them in the first place. We also have to rethink it because it's not just for escapism, it's to explore new ideas to help us improve as a society both individually and collectively while also being honest about the dangers of what could go wrong if we aren't careful.

What is Art Activism?

Artistic Activism involves using art to protest against something and make people more aware of the issue in subtle ways. It is a safer form of activism since it doesn't disrupt public life. What I love about Artistic Activism is that anyone can do it in whatever form, whether complicated or simple enough, like a meme, without wasting time making boards and protesting on the streets.

From "American People," "Die" is a painting of how America is known for violence against its people even though it's supposed to represent freedom. According to the website The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II, "Ringgold painted 'Die' during the long, hot summer of 1967, as disenfranchised Black Americans, exhausted by a racist status quo, began rebellions in cities across the country, most notably Detroit and Newark. The press framed these actions as, to quote The New York Times in July of that year, 'the mob rule and violence that have spread through the urban ghettos.' But in her painting, Ringgold implicates everyone, both Black and white. The painting held a mirror to America then, and it is sadly no less relevant now. MoMA acquired 'Die' in 2016, and when the institution rehung its collection last year, the work was placed right at home next to a Picasso. — M.H.M." This is an example of artistic activism at play because of the representation of not only what blacks have to go through but how trauma can mess up everyone and create a generation of bloody war shed. 

What is Art Activism post by Juan Ferreira

         In the reading of the book, in Chapter 1 there is a quote stated by a civil rights activist that caught my attention while talking about “the power of art” and a line before her quote in the book. “Art allows us to imagine things that are otherwise unimaginable, and then to live them. As activist Audre Lorde continues: “Poetry is not only a dream and vision, it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundation for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before” (page 26). This chapter is specifically about the power of art and its major impact in our lives. Art allows us to say things that can’t be said, and has the power to captivate an audience. Also able to give form to abstract emotions and feelings that can be communicated with other people. As the writer Jorge Luis Borges summarizes in the same chapter and says art can be turned into something which can last in a man’s memory, which breaks down the impact it can have on one person at a time.

The second quote is an image printed in my head that the reading discusses which also depicts artistic activism in a very physical manner. “This is not a scene from the streets of Iraq, Afghanistan, or Syria, but a creative protest staged by Iraq Veterans.” (page 36). Referring to a time in 2007 where “Just walking around talking and marching wasn’t getting the point across”. They wanted to bring attention to the violence the war was creating by staging a man tied up and getting yelled at on the floor by a group of soldiers crowding the man’s helpless body. This is indeed a creative form of activism that can be displayed as art because they are just in a form of acting.

What is Art Activism? As the book states, Artistic Activism is hard to define. “Sometimes it looks more like art, and sometimes it looks more like activism.” To me, Art Activism is using the world around you(can be other people, creative utensils like pencils, paint, or props like a cane, or a hammer) and using these things as a bridge to reach an activist movement and catch the attention of the bystanders, or neighborhood. As I previously stated in the last paragraph, an example could be when the book is listing a whole bunch of activist occurrences in a row and land on the protest created by the Iraq Veterans. When these Veterans have had enough of the war in Iraq during the year 2007 and you can see them protesting using a street clothed, defenseless man and victimizes him on the floor tied up with a bag over his head and a group of men circling him and causing havoc. I can imagine many other protests similar to this one during these times, to get the attention of officials or the public. This is an example of Art Activism because they are using the form of acting (artform) to perform in their activist scene to catch attention from the public eye. Below is displayed the artwork from the book (page 37) where you can see a soldier yelling to the public “Clear the perimeter!” where they would have no choice but to obey unless they want to end up hurt or receive punishment against their own will.

Art Of Activism - David Gonzalez

 Martha Rosler Cleaning the Drapes 

 

 This is a warzone behind what seems to be behind a curtain used in a suburban home. The reason this stuck me is because the artist acknowledged how big the Vietnam war had gotten, and it was not just thousands of miles away, its outside affect the generations present at the time. This is an activist artwork because it ties the destruction and violence abroad the home of America by televising it the first time on tv. "War was brought home." 

WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM? | Center for Artistic Activism 

 

"Artistic Activism is a practice aimed at generating Æffect: emotionally resonant experiences that lead to measurable shifts in power."

This struck me as the whole purpose of a being an activist is to rally an idea and this sums up how it can be done.

"Creating and sustaining lasting change demands a change in values, beliefs and patterns of behavior, that is: cultural change."

For things to change ideas have to be made for actions to take place, and then actions become behavioral changes, then it becomes cultural change. For art, it is an idea that can be taken either lightly or drastically.

An Introduction to Activist Art | The Collector | by Stefanie Graf  

"activist art often creates a dialogue and forces people to think about these problems."

 Thinking about problem that might not be visible has always been a problem, until someone points it out then people start thinking. To me this is a good way to wake people up on such topics.

With the apparent message calling for flowers instead of violence, the work has often been interpreted as a call for peace.

Even as activist we don't want to promote violence, as Banksy tries to do here. We want political change, but not so it destroys people's lives. It shows activists have morals they should not cross and if they are crossed, we want it to stop.

The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II 

The New York Times Style Magazine 

"His scratchy drawings were relentlessly ferocious and often macabre, sometimes depicting decapitation and amputation, tools of religious dictatorships."

Sometimes, when things are really bad, activist artists really need to spell out and uncensored drawings to show how wrong and how dire a situation is.

His sewn-up mouth became a recurring image in his art and activism, a gesture that took the slogan “Silence = Death,”

No matter how morally, ethically, or even logically right an idea is, artists are often silenced to not show their opinion or standpoint to rally an idea of change, this is the risk to being an activist. 

ART AS ACTIVISM POST - Shayna Pullo

 The Migration gained in momentum by Jacob Lawrence is a “Migration Series” that Lawrence took as his subject the exodus of African Americans from the rural South to Northern cities during and after World War I, when industry's demand for workers attracted them in vast numbers. I chose this piece of art work because Lawrence and I are both children of immigrants. This artwork is the representation of all our immigrant parents leaving their country where they grew up with a simple small backpack or even just a plastic bag to start from scratch for a better future for their family.

WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM? 

“Activism moves the material world, while Art moves the heart, body and soul.” 

Activism and art form a powerful combination to express our activism more strongly. In a world marked by conflicts and tensions, art and activism have become powerful tools for promoting peace and equality.

“Social change doesn’t just happen, it happens because people decide to make change.”

The change for a better world occurs not only when we start promoting peace and equality, but also when we choose to initiate change by helping those we can and making better decisions in our lives.

AN INTRODUCTION TO ACTIVIST ART 

“When the public is looking away from suffering that could be prevented or does not want to be confronted with it, activist art often creates a dialogue and forces people to think about these problems.”

 Many of the injustices that happen in the world daily could be improved or ended if people decide to face the problem and support those affected. Many of us don't care about other people's problems until it  affect us.

“The case of Paula Rego’s ‘Abortion Series’ shows how many people were apparently unaware of the painful and dangerous situations women had to face during and after an illegal abortion.”

Just as Paula Rego’s ‘Abortion Series’ and Jacob Lawrence’s ‘Migration Series’ are examples of risky and hurtful situations both physically and mentally. They are traumatic moments that a human being should not go through, that all human beings should be aware that there are people risking their lives in that way.

The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II

“A colossal 61-foot equestrian statue of Robert E. Lee has towered above Richmond, Va., since 1890.”

Robert E. Lee Statue is a succefull artistic activism as it reached its message to too many people and changed the perspective of several people who saw the statue. The acceptance of the message can be seen in the fact that people feel comfortable having barbecues, music and dance performances, family get-togethers near the statue

“People who once avoided the statue now make pilgrimages to see what has become an emblem of the Black Lives Matter movement as well as a newly diverse public gathering space.”

Having a statue on a street with such a strong message will make more people aware of the problem and would want to support it day after day. By simply taking a photo and posting it to your social media will help spread awareness of what is happening to more people.