Love Is In The Air by Banksy, 2006, via Phaidon Press
Banksy artwork was a strong anti-war image. The man in the painting is positioned as if he was throwing some sort of exploiting device such as a bomb but instead of a bomb, he is holding a bouquet of flowers. Changing the meaning behind what he wants. Instead of throwing a device that is categorized as harmful, dangerous and uncivilized, he is throwing something that represents love, caring and peace. Banksy´s meaning behind this art piece was he wants the public to see we shouldn’t be fighting with more harmful devices but to aim towards peace. The war is never going to end if its just blow after blow, he was trying to get the world to see the bigger picture.
I choose this art piece because in the past few years, the world has been through some aggressive protests. For example, the George Floyd protest, a lot of police brutality against protestors and journalists was occurring. Properties were damaged, a huge amount of arson, vandalism and looting from the people out of anger of what had occurred to Mr.Floyd. In my opinion, what had occurred to George Floyd was a huge disappointment, especially since it was in the hands of officers and they were disregarding his call outs that he needed help. I do understand the anger from the people, countless of cases from people of color getting mistreated, however I don’t agree with how the people responded back with violence. I do agree with Banksy and how we should stop responding with violence and instead peace. Going blow for blow will never have a positive outcome.
1.WHY ARTISTIC ACTIVISM?
¨ Social change doesn’t just happen, it happens because people decide to make change.¨
I choose this quote from the article because I 100% agree with this statement. People can complain and complain all they like but if something truly irritates someone, they will speak on it and get others opinions on it as well. Maybe some opinions will disagree and others will agree but that is how attention is brought to the situation and how it will slowly start to change the view on society. Our opinions and voices matter heavily on a societal situation.
¨ Activism is foreign to many people, and a bit daunting: it seems to take too much commitment, too much risk, and too much time.¨
I think this quote speaks for a lot of people. Its true, a lot of people push activism a side due to factors such as commitment, risk and time. However, they seem to forget the littlest amount of effort can go a long way. People can bond over these factors and rise together. It creates a access point between many people on their worries, issues and how to move foward from it. Many people face the same worries and forget the fact that they most likely aren’t the only ones with those worries. Coming together and discussing these issues is what activism needs, the numbers start to speak and that’s the bigger picture.
2.An Introduction to Activist Art
¨ The fight for equality and feminism was and still is another popular subject of activist art.¨
Going back into history, the roles of females and males was a huge debate. Women fighting for their rights and being able to the same roles a male does. This was a huge thing back then and still is today. Equality now is starting to get a tad bit better due to our voices rising and getting rights. Todays society, women are starting to get the equality they have been longing for but at a slow pace. What people want and disagree is a huge part of activist art. Knowing the peoples opinions and what they are unhappy with can be changed, however a voice needs to be willing to speak up.
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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.¨
When an issue arises, some people earn to it but others walk away. Even if it effects them, they walk away to prevent issues coming towards them. Activist pick up on the issues people walk away from and force not only them but the whole world to think about these issues and how to change it. Activist talk and show the issues everyone avoids because they don’t want the backlash. Activists have the uncomfortable and awkward conversations, without activists all these issues would just be brushed under the rug and ignored no matter how big they get.
3. Artists Using Their Creativity to Drive Activism
¨ Through his kaleidoscopic installations, that tend to use the natural elements such as air and water, he unravels the invisible threads binding humans and nature — reminding us of our profound interconnectedness and calling for urgent action for earth's protection.¨
Eliasson uses his art to remind people we are still human. I think this is am important factor because as years pass by, technology becomes better and better. With new things coming out such as AI, humans tend to lean on technology for a lot of things. In a mindset that the world is a utopia when in reality it isn’t. Eliassons art reminds us that we are in reality, to get out of the utopia expectation and to live in the present.
¨ These artists are living proof that art has the power to captivate hearts, propel minds, and shape a world that is equal, just, and inclusive.¨
Multiple artists come out with new pieces of art everyday, bringing attention to issues everyday. Every artists portray the issue in their own unique way and how to handle it. It is a benefit that artists bring up the issues in a different way because it grabs the attention of many. Not everyone has the same interest so having different ways to express the issue is a pro!! Having different artists talk about the same issue not only shows how many people it affects but how different opinions arise and how everyone agree it is a issue that needs to be resolved.
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