Chapter 2: The Art of Activism Steve Duncombe and Steve Lambert
“To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.” (pg.59)
If we focus only on the bad things happening in the world, we let them take over and control us. It’s important to notice injustice, but we can’t let it be the only thing we think about. To make real change, we need to take action by spreading good things like kindness, hope, and solutions. If we only dwell on the bad, we lose sight of the better world we want to create. We need to balance our focus on both the problems and the positive steps we can take to fix them.
“we’ve noticed the quest for perfection isn’t contained to the work people do, but bleeds into how they live out their lives.” (pg.78)
People don’t just try to be perfect in their work, but this need for perfection spills over into how they live their entire lives, affecting everything they do
"Towards a Curatorial Activism" by Dr. Maura Reilly
"The key to curatorial activism is that it pushes against traditional art historical narratives that have typically marginalized or excluded underrepresented artists, especially women and artists of color."
This means that curatorial activism focuses on changing the traditional art world by including artists who have been left out, like women and people of color. It helps make sure their stories are told and their art is seen.
"In curating activist exhibitions, one’s curatorial choices become a form of protest against the status quo, calling for the decolonization of museum collections and the diversification of artistic canons."
This shows that when curators select certain artworks, it can be a way to challenge the system. They are pushing museums to include more artists from different backgrounds, making the art world more open to everyone.
"What is Curatorial Activism?" by Dr. Maura Reilly
"Curatorial activism is a practice that insists on rectifying the exclusionary politics of museum exhibition spaces, ensuring that women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ artists are given their due visibility."
This means that curatorial activism works to make sure museums include and recognize more diverse artists, especially those who have been unfairly ignored, like women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ artists.
"It is a political and cultural intervention into the art world’s systemic inequalities, a method of curating with a conscience."
This statement explains that curatorial activism is about being fair and making sure that the art world doesn’t continue to favor only certain groups. It’s about making conscious choices to highlight underrepresented artists.
Coalitional activism is a strategy where different groups or individuals join forces to work together toward a common goal, despite possibly having different backgrounds, beliefs, or primary objectives. By coming together, they can amplify their voices and strengthen their efforts to create change, especially in areas like social justice, civil rights, or environmental issues.
This kind of activism recognizes that many issues are interconnected, and working together can create a more powerful impact than if each group or person were working alone. For example, activists for racial justice might team up with those fighting for gender equality, recognizing that both movements benefit from challenging discrimination in all its forms.
To improve art and art history, we need to include more diverse voices and perspectives. This means showcasing artists from different backgrounds, such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+ artists, and non-Western cultures so that the art world better reflects the range of human experiences. Museums and galleries should also look at their collections and exhibitions to make sure they are not biased towards European or colonial perspectives. By including more artists and stories, we can help rewrite art history in a way that is more inclusive and accurate.
Exhibitions can be a form of activism by highlighting social and political issues and giving space to underrepresented groups. For example, an exhibition might focus on topics like gender equality, racial justice, or climate change to raise awareness and inspire change. Including artworks from marginalized communities can challenge the traditional art world and give these artists a platform to share their stories. Through the themes and artwork they feature, exhibitions can send strong messages about equality, justice, and the need for positive action in society.
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