Chapter 2: The Art of Activism
Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert
"Creativity isn't a product, it's a process"
Art is a never-ending path to explore, problem solve and express one's thoughts and emotions. A product is simply for profit, confined by societal expectations, so there is a definitive endpoint to what a product needs to be. But art does not need to be anything that the artist does not desire to represent. Process emphasizes the experience and methods involved on a journey of exploration. I feel it is important to stress this difference because liberal art professions are often overlooked and minimized in terms of societal impact.
"It is important not only to write your ideas down but to sketch them, make drawings of them, however crude."
This quote speaks volumes to the mental duress of a devoted individual improving their craft. I believe that everyone is capable of accomplishing what they put their mind to, but it's the pressure, and troubles inflicted upon ourselves that push us to act out of anger, fear, and poor judgment. Becoming impatient and succumbing to these pressures is what truly separates greatness from mediocrity in all fields. For instance, when I first started taking college level art-classes I found it frustrating to prepare thumbnails. I had so many ideas and passion, but my pieces sucked, and I struggled to find an artistic voice. This was solely because I was unorganized and unwilling to refine my statement(s). An activist who truly brings awareness to their field of study values others' interpretations. Like an artist who is humbled at an opening reception, it is the failure and grit to succeed that breeds clarity of vision.
"In 1966, the painting weighed close to two thousand pounds and had eleven inches of paint on its surface."
So, this is a quote referencing the Abstract painter Jay DeFeo's painting titled: "The Rose." I want to speak on this as a prime example of how there is need-to-know self-limitation throughout creative processes. Jay DeFeo only stopped reworking this piece because she was evicted out of her apartment; her perfectionism led to the dismantling of her wellbeing and living situation. Engulfing oneself into a perfectionist state of mind can destroy means of experimentation, or tragically beginning to grow and start anew.
Anyone who has ever used oil paint can understand how thinly the paint dries. So, for this painting to have eleven inches of oil atop the surface is actually insane. Oil paint is also one of the most expensive mediums. The pigments are richer and more refined than a medium like acrylic or watercolor. With these thoughts in mind, I begin to question how much money went towards produce in this case? Did the excess material improve the artist statement? How much work could DeFeo have produced had she not been so hellbent on "The Rose"?
Towards a Curatorial Activism
Dr. Maura Reilly
"I have coined the term 'curatorial activists' to describe those individuals who have committed themselves to 'counter hegemonic' initiatives to those who have been historically silenced or omitted from the 'master narrative.'"
I chose this quote because it helps me understand curatorial activism at its core. Counter-hegemonic initiatives are curatorial efforts that challenge and oppose dominant power structures, ideologies, or cultural norms maintained by a ruling group or class. They seek to empower oppressed voices and promote alternative perspectives, aiming to disrupt the existing social order. By questioning the legitimacy of the status quo, counter-hegemonic actions work to dismantle systems of inequality and establish new frameworks that promote justice, inclusivity, and equity in the art world.
Without question, the art world is not yet concerned with full assimilation of work by minority, postcolonial or any other voices into the larger discourse
The art world often maintains exclusivity by prioritizing established artists and institutions, leading to limited representation of disempowered groups. While diversity is promoted in theory, systemic biases in gallery representation, funding, and exhibitions hinder equal access and recognition for artists from diverse backgrounds, perpetuating inequality in the field.
What is Curatorial Activism?
Dr. Maura Reilly
"Not Affirmative Action curating, it’s intelligent curating."
I find this quote interesting because it challenges theory. Curatorial activism (and activism in general) requires a collective effort to promote social change through forms of resistance, and awareness in all facets of life. Affirmative action is a policy, or theory aiming to increase representation and equity in terms of education and employment. Maura Reilly wants to challenge systemic norms and let it be known that all curators should be thinking like activists. Affirmative action should be taken into consideration unconsciously.
"Counter-hegemonic projects are rarely understood."
People invested in the status quo may perceive counter-hegemonic initiatives as threatening, radical, or destabilizing. Media outlets frame these efforts negatively as they may also feel threatened. Nonetheless, privileged ignorance only deters a broader sense of understanding.
What is curatorial activism?
1. Curatorial activism is a style of curation that challenges the status quo and links people who are typically not seen together, together.
How can we improve art and art history?
2. To improve art and art history, we can work to prompt change in the ways art education is taught. Let's include more chapters and lesson plans about underrepresented groups/regions and exploit the flaws of western ideology. We can also promote competition and anonymous entries in calls for art to eliminate biases.
How can exhibitions be activist?
3. Exhibitions can be activist by composing themes that are difficult to address in conversation. An activist exhibition must act as a bridge between a stubborn mind and empty eye.
What messages for inclusion can be conveyed in artworks/exhibitions?
4. In terms of inclusion, artists and curatorial activists can focus on cultural perseverance and self-determination. Understanding and taking pride in one's individuality will engage an audience to scratch beneath the surface.
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