Post 3 - What is Art Activism? Nicole Corvi

Part 1- Activism in community. List the 3 examples of activism in your community we discussed in class. You can choose what you define as your community. (your university, your neighborhood, town, state.)

Examples of activism in my University's community would include petitions and protests. This would be an outcome of student, faculty, financial, and other university concerns.

Examples of activism in my neighborhood would include clothing drives and food pantries. This offers mutual aid to help others.

Examples of activism in my town/state would include work strikes, union campaigns, protests, and vigils. This organizes groups together to stand up for something they want to see change in.

Part 2 - Defining art activism. What is Art Activism? Use the Chapter 1 reading from The Art of Activism textbook and the articles linked above to complete the assignment: Choose one artwork from the readings. Research the artwork and explain who, what and why the work is an example of art activism. Include an image and information about this artwork in your short response on the blog.

Activist art is a term used to describe art that is grounded in the act of 'doing' and addresses political or social issues.

Silence = Death design collective, “Silence = Death,” 1987

In the 1980s, the AIDS epidemic in America was infamously pushed to the side. The government especially turned a blind eye with nearly 12,000 Americans killed before President Reagan even mentioned it. In 1987 Avram Finkelstein, Brian Howard, Oliver Johnston, Charles Kreloff, Chris Lione and Jorge Socarrás were six men from New York City were inspired to make something to spread awareness about what was being silenced by the media. They created this poster under the 'Act Up' organization that highlighted the brutal reality. The less AIDS was talked about in the media, the more people were dying, and not being fought for. This is an example of art activism because the full intention of the creation was to bring attention and awareness to a social issue.

Part 3: Add your quotes from the readings to your blog post. Use your quotes to help explain your chosen artwork.

QUOTES 

The Art of Activism

1. "But facts and truth don’t speak for themselves. They need to be made into symbols and incorporated into stories that people can make sense of and care about. They need our help," (Duncombe, Lambert 24-25).

This quote is saying that facts by themselves don’t usually change people’s minds. People care more when information is turned into stories or symbols that feel relatable and emotional. Facts need context so people can understand why they matter. The authors are also saying that we have a role in shaping these stories. This gives artists, activists, and regular people power to influence how others think and feel.

2. "Art is highly elective at translating events, facts, and ideologies into stories, images, and performances, making objective things into subjective forms we can experience, feel, and, importantly, remember," (Duncombe, Lambert 25).

This quote is saying that art helps turn real-world events and ideas into things people can actually feel and remember. Facts and ideologies are usually abstract and hard to connect to, but art makes them personal and emotional through images, stories, and performances. Because of that, art can be powerful. It sticks in people’s minds more than just information does.

An Introduction to Activist Art

1. "Jacob Lawrence’s ‘Migration Series’ is another example of making experiences visible that many people were not or did not want to be familiar with," (Graf 2022).

The quote shows how art can force people to confront uncomfortable histories. Lawrence’s paintings didn’t just document events but they made people see and feel the struggles of Black migrants, which is a form of activism because it challenges ignorance and denial. This is the case for a lot of activist art.

2. "The importance of their activist work has not changed significantly since they made the poster in 1989. They conducted new surveys in 2005 and 2012 and ended up with similar results which expose the constant struggle of female artists," (Graf 2022)

This quote is saying that the Guerrilla Girls’ message is still relevant today. Even decades after their original poster, women artists are still treated unfairly in the art world. Their surveys showed that not much has changed, which proves gender inequality in art is an ongoing problem, especially in the world of art.

The 25 Most Influential Works of American Protest Art Since World War II

1. “'Manifestos don’t work,” Finkelstein recently wrote. “Sentences barely do. You need sound bites, catchphrases, crafted in plain language,'" (Force, Lescaze, Hass, Miller 2020).

Finkelstein suggests that activism isn’t just about having good ideas, but rather about how those ideas are packaged. A well crafted slogan or catchphrase can spread faster and influence more people than a complex argument. This is a activist tactic to get people talking.

2. "'Aside from the work itself, and whether it will be good or bad, the experience of being in contact with the people that I’m making narratives about is a very fulfilling one, as opposed to being in a studio. Having said that, I question my own work in terms of: Who is its audience? Is it the same people who already think like me? What am I planning to change? What is it that I’m trying to establish other than making a nice work of art? I don’t have the answers," (Force, Lescaze, Hass, Miller 2020).

The speaker is saying that working directly with people and communities is meaningful, but they also question the impact of their art. They wonder who their work is really for and whether it’s just reaching people who already agree with them. This shows doubt about whether activist art actually creates change or just looks good. It is also highlighting self-awareness in activism, as the ideas are not always clear and effective.