Protest or Propaganda / Due M, April 20th
View the slideshow below and then read the follow up questions and directions below.
Project guidelines are also below.
Printmaking has a long history of political activism. Because of its visual graphic nature, ease of production and low cost, prints were readily made for mass communication. From artists such as Daumier, to Manet, Goya, to more contemporary artists like Sue Coe.
The primary goal of this project is to respond visually to a current event or issue of your choice. You will start with information you gather from TV, newspapers or online. The emphasis will be on your “response”, and that you are providing some form of commentary beyond the information you have gathered. I want to know your view on the subject.
The primary goal of this project is to respond visually to a current event or issue of your choice. You will start with information you gather from TV, newspapers or online. The emphasis will be on your “response”, and that you are providing some form of commentary beyond the information you have gathered. I want to know your view on the subject.
What is different about making your art vs political art?
Rather than dealing with metaphors and personal iconography, Political art has a specific point of view.
What makes effective protest or propaganda art?
-Readability: Your audience needs to know your point of view. Are you for it or against it? If they can’t tell, then it’s not very effective.
At worst if they read the opposite meaning from your intention, then you’ve worked against your own beliefs.
-Images that resonate, and you can recall (Graphic power).
-Communication: It's about Clarity. You must convey your ideas clearly, For example you don't want a piece protesting an idea to be interpreted as you advocating or it instead.
Think about Originality:
Are you going to use Satire/Humor, Data/Statistics or Shock value, there are many ways to achieve your goals.
Don't just be simplistic and say things like "Pollution is Bad", Be Specific and engaging. Make them think about something. Are you asking for a call to action or trying to educate them on the topic?
Rather than dealing with metaphors and personal iconography, Political art has a specific point of view.
What makes effective protest or propaganda art?
-Readability: Your audience needs to know your point of view. Are you for it or against it? If they can’t tell, then it’s not very effective.
At worst if they read the opposite meaning from your intention, then you’ve worked against your own beliefs.
-Images that resonate, and you can recall (Graphic power).
-Communication: It's about Clarity. You must convey your ideas clearly, For example you don't want a piece protesting an idea to be interpreted as you advocating or it instead.
Think about Originality:
Are you going to use Satire/Humor, Data/Statistics or Shock value, there are many ways to achieve your goals.
Don't just be simplistic and say things like "Pollution is Bad", Be Specific and engaging. Make them think about something. Are you asking for a call to action or trying to educate them on the topic?
Break it Down
What are the various aspects (sub-issues) involved in your issue? For example: If you choose a topic like Global Warming, you might think about what are the different aspects of this (recycling, carbon footprint, fossil fuels, travel, etc, and maybe select one of these aspects to address).
Who is your audience?
What are you trying to communicate? Or achieve? (Call to Action or Education?)
What are the various aspects (sub-issues) involved in your issue? For example: If you choose a topic like Global Warming, you might think about what are the different aspects of this (recycling, carbon footprint, fossil fuels, travel, etc, and maybe select one of these aspects to address).
Who is your audience?
What are you trying to communicate? Or achieve? (Call to Action or Education?)
Political Art
“Most, if not all works of art can be understood in social and political terms. Politics in the context of an exhibition needs to be defined. If it is understood as the active exercise of power in relation to a society or to a particular group of people, then the function of the artist is to articulate, examine and criticize that relationship. The question is, why criticize through static personal images, a form of communication that is seemingly passé; a means of communication that speaks to a very select audience. I have heard numerous artists say that political image making has no effect, and is therefore useless. However, making images that are both a reaction to power, as well as the essence of an individual's creative gesture, gives each individual a voice, like no other form of expression. It is the essence of freedom; and the significance of these images is not reduced because of the modesty of their direct effect on events. That is not their ultimate role. Art does not have to change the circumstance to have unique validity. Its validity and significance comes in power being both confronted and individualized. It produces a testament of individual perception, personal experience, criticism, hope, and anger.”
-except from Hugh Merrill.
“Most, if not all works of art can be understood in social and political terms. Politics in the context of an exhibition needs to be defined. If it is understood as the active exercise of power in relation to a society or to a particular group of people, then the function of the artist is to articulate, examine and criticize that relationship. The question is, why criticize through static personal images, a form of communication that is seemingly passé; a means of communication that speaks to a very select audience. I have heard numerous artists say that political image making has no effect, and is therefore useless. However, making images that are both a reaction to power, as well as the essence of an individual's creative gesture, gives each individual a voice, like no other form of expression. It is the essence of freedom; and the significance of these images is not reduced because of the modesty of their direct effect on events. That is not their ultimate role. Art does not have to change the circumstance to have unique validity. Its validity and significance comes in power being both confronted and individualized. It produces a testament of individual perception, personal experience, criticism, hope, and anger.”
-except from Hugh Merrill.
Issues of Today (This is just a list of possible ideas, you can do choose your own topic)
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Covid-19
Climate Change/Global Warming War Veteran’s Issues Military Spending Nuclear proliferation Body Issues Abortion/Pro-prolife Gender Sexuality Race Civil Rights Immigration Police Violence Genetically modified foods Animal Rights Capital Punishment Recycling |
Marijuana
Minimum Wage Equal Pay Income Inequality Voting Rights Pipeline Internet Neutrality Healthcare Education Guns Hunting Rights/Access State/Federal Lands Water quality Mining/Logging Coronavirus Politics Human Trafficking |