Art As Activism - Kobi-Lee Sanchez

"Taitlan's Whisper" By Tania Bruguera

Made by a Cuban Artist, this artwork is a picture of a performance they had done to demonstrate how police keep crowds in control with horses by essentially treating them like cattle or sheep, entrapping them in a strict movement directed by the police who control the horses. I chose this Artwork because instead of artwork that says something to the viewer, she creates an experience and performance that communicates what actual people are going through. Showing that government will take control when necessary to exert their power.

1. Why Artistic Activism

"As any seasoned activist can tell you, people just don’t decide to change their mind and act accordingly, they are personally moved to do so by emotionally powerful stimuli."

"At one time protest marches and mass rallies were powerful innovations; today they are routine."

    This shows how difficult it is to create change in the world now even though we have so many outlets of media to produce awareness. You have to push epople to vote, push people to say something, even to press a button or even read a post about awareness is something that we will be easily swiped away to watch a video or message a friend. We are now in age where compassion is not familiar and if the issue isn't directly affecting their life or family members it is not as important.

    Protest and Rallies are routine, now we have to do more than stomp in the streets. For example, Starbucks has been boycotted by waves of people after supporting companies that are supporting Israel.

2. An Introduction to Activist Art

"The artist’s work mirrored his political beliefs. Courbet was involved with the Paris Commune of 1871, a socialist government that only lasted about two months. His involvement resulted in Courbet’s imprisonment and his subsequent death in exile."

"The anonymous group called the Guerrilla Girls consists of American female artists who challenge the sexist aspects of the art world through their activism."

You can see that there might be a connection to why the Guerrilla Girls are anonymous, although Courbet had experienced control from the socialist government. You can see that the Guerrilla Girls are using the anonymous outlet to create more change and more attention by not having their image being focused on their identities but rather what they do. I feel as though this prevents backlash and also protects their private lives while achieving awareness. 

3. Meme's are Our Generation's Protest Art

At their core, all memes, regardless of their politics, are a tool for expression. “Memes help to articulate specific points, amplify ideas, and intensify emotions,” Burroughs said. “Something can be comedic or a joke and still be incredibly poignant.”

"all you have to do is find a punchline. This means whipping up a relatable, shareable reaction to a Trump gaffe or horrific policy takes only a few minutes or less."

I agree that Meme's can be very useful for creating awareness to a concerning event or political figure. However I feel that calling Trump memes are our now activism. It feels lazy and flat. Although it is easy and it is retable for the masses especially politically, I feel protest and Political Art Activism had more effort and original thought previous to our generation. It can be powerful for Art Activists if it pushed people to do nore.