What is Art Activism? - Christopher Cruz

What is Art Activism?

Art Activism is a combination of the emotionality of art and the call to action of activism used in a strategic manner to bring awareness and cause an effect due to action. This is achieved by utilizing the emotional effect it has on people by focusing on a subject that matters and is impactful. When people see and read it and start to realize and think about, then that person is hooked which in turn causes a cascade of events to happen. For example in the text, “The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II The New York Times Style Magazine”, the protest art done by Faith Ringgold, specifically his “United States of Attica” (1971-72)” is powerfully in its execution and design. The colors are the first to stand out, the inspiration taken and referenced from Marcus Garvey’s Black Nationalist flag which stand as a symbol of black liberation. Ringgold furthers this call to action by having written all the atrocities and statistic against black individuals committed my the USA. This is important as it reveals the larger problem and injustice that has continued since the development of this country.

Quotes

Q1: “At first glance these aims seem at odds with one another. Activism moves the material world, while Art moves the heart, body and soul.”- C4AA

A1: I just love how interesting this union of art and activism intertwine together. They serve different purposes, but art activism becomes a middle ground where connecting with an audience causes an emotional response while promoting a call to action. This ends up gathering a ton of supporters due to not just the message of the artwork, but the subject of the art.

Q2: “This new terrain, neither overtly “arty” or “political” is more familiar and safer to an audience than a museum or a rally, and thus makes artistic activism more attractive, approachable, and friendly than traditional art or activist practices.”- C4AA

A2: I believe that's what makes art activism such a powerful force. Its approachable aspect makes it easier for supporters to join the fight for a common goal. This allows for a cause to get support to rally behind it faster than traditional political methods.

Q3: “But examples of political art can also be found as early as the 18th century.”- The Collector

A3: People think art activism is a new subject, but it is still shocking that it has been a part of our history without even knowing it. I wish in regular history classes they taught this as well because it is important and a valuable subject to learn.

Q4: “Courbet was an important figure in the Realism movement. Completely unembellished, he depicted the life and harsh working conditions of the lower classes.” - The Collector

A4: Gustave’s The Stonebreakers is an iconic painting that reveals the struggles and where the impoverished worked. It really is sad how just like back then, the impoverished still must work to exhaustion to make ends meet.

Q5: “But the question of what, precisely, constitutes protest art is a thorny one — and we kept tripping over it.” - NYTimes

A5: I love that protest art is a struggle to define. It feels like artwork made as protest art self defines itself in its mission and goal. Protest art of course has aspects of art, specifically its subjectivity which is different for everyone. There will always be variety and that's one attribute that makes protest art powerful.

Q6: “Under orders from Governor Nelson Rockefeller, state police retook the prison by force, killing 39 people, both prisoners and hostages.” - NYTimes

A6: This is such a sad event and the fact that Nelson Rockefeller had state police kill the inmates and hostages is crazy. The prisoners weren’t even being violent and the hostages, some were civilians killed. This just further reveals the cruelty in this world, but how people in power will sacrifice others no matter the cost.