What is Art Activisim? - Bell (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)

°‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡ Activism in the Community:

1. ICE OUT Protests happening within Jersey City (and throughout other Jersey counties and New York): Protests aimed at giving a voice to communities intending to express their frustrations, halt the discriminatory action of these federal agents, and hope to put an end to the aggressive actions taken by them.

2. Hunger Free Bayonne: Community service meant to combat food insecurity and assist with providing teens, senior centers and displaced individuals with fresh produce.

3. NJCU Student Organizations and Activities: A lot of NJCU's student organizations and clubs are a form of activism as most (if not all) mean to provide assistance to its students, raise awareness for issues regarding marginalized groups and the communities outside, as well as offer some mental health relief in their activities. 

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋♬ What is Art Activism?

Art Activism, as discussed in the textbook The Art of Activism and in the article An Introduction to Activist Art, is the utilization of art, or any means of creative expression, as a way to bridge the gap between the visual and the sociopolitical. It explains that is art not just as an idea or aesthetic, but a tool - one to give a voice to the voiceless, challenge the ideas of overbearing political structures, and/or raise awareness. Art Activism, or Artivism as the textbook playfully refers to it, also establishes, as noted in the NY Times article, a collective mindset between the work and its audience. While some actions are not immediate, they allow for the viewer to develop a connection to the art, and/or action, presented and build hope.

Paula Rego. Untitled No. 1. 1998. National Galleries Scotland.

Paula Rego's work within The Abortion Series is hauntingly powerful. Above, Untitled No. 1, is just one from said series and captures much more than words could initially describe. A woman holding herself in a vulnerable position with a deadpan stare that seems to look through you, not in an office or anywhere sterile, but in what one could assume was a home. Maybe not even her own. Rego's piece is an example of art activism because, according to the article An Introduction to Activist Art written by Stefanie Graf, "were partly responsible for changing the public opinion in favor of legalized abortion (in Portugal)." Rego's works resonated with the audience who viewed the pieces enough to spark conversation and enact sociopolitical change. 

The Art of Activism: Chapter One

☽ "Throughout history, the powers-that-be have stayed in power by having a monopoly on knowledge." (pg. 22)

The book itself provides examples for this quote from the Medieval Church suppressing knowledge and limiting access to it unless it came from the priests or religious figures, to China's elite Mandarin class being the only ones allowed access up to modernity with totalitarian governments and their restrictions on media as well as banning of them and artists. History never fails to repeat itself, if not stay in a perpetual cycle of reenforcing the habit of denying knowledge to all. We see much of this monopolization occurring in real time with the consistent buying and selling of data across social media platforms, the censoring of information on them and even through the news combined with misinformation meant to instill fear and doubt. This monopolization thrives on the uneducated and ill-informed to sustain their falsehoods to ensure obedience and conformity.

♤ "In our world, the sublime is in the service of capitalism and hierarchy." (pg. 27)

Art exists in everything, from the clothes we wear, the things we consume to the architecture around us. While much of it is able to invoke a response from us, it's impact is more connected to capitalism and the unequal power structures that are put forth in our society. If you wanna admire the work of painters within a museum, there's a fee. The majestic skyscrapers or buildings that tower communities may look nice, some not all, they displace many of the low-income families and underprivileged members of said communities. Art without an impact for "good" is just fuel for consumerism.

An Introduction to Activist Art:

♡ "One of the most important goals of activist art is to encourage social and political change."

In a similar fashion to Paula Rego and her "Abortion Series", a series of works that would change public opinion on abortion and succeed in legalizing it, we see changes in even the smallest ways. As we've been talking about memes, its important to reiterate that because of their accessibility on social media and potential to go viral, those who come in contact with them are introduced to new opinions and ideas. It assists providing the stepping stone to educating one's self on the subject discussed and bridging gaps between different perspectives.

꩜ "The interests, hardships, and experiences of marginalized groups are often underrepresented or not discussed at all. Activist art can make these specific experiences visible and include them in historical, social, and political discourse."

I feel like with the recent Halftime Show with Bad Bunny, we can understand this as a reality, if not already for everything else. The show used a variety of theatrical art and commentary to highlight the experiences of marginalized communities experiencing hardships right now around the world while also displaying what makes them so beautiful and fruitful (dancing, food, etc). Yet the other side of the argument views this as everything but and even resorted to cruel remarks, completely refusing to understand the awareness being brought up or even refusing to enjoy the extended hand to view cultural differences.

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

𖥔 "We discussed the silent work that art does — when it makes us brave and when it makes us believe in our collective capacity to create change."

Art introduces us to others, or events, that may depict or represent a similar emotion or event in our own lives. It gives us a voice, whether through our own creation or through the study of another's. That's the overall collective capacity - the shared experiences, thoughts - it pushes us to move when we feel capable of it. It inspires us to enact change and even provides hope.

☘︎ "The work [Kruger's "Your Body is a Battleground"] comments on both the ideal of symmetrical female beauty and the terror of being turned into a mere object, one on which cultural wars might be played out."

I enjoy any piece of art that happens to play upon the theme of duality. Kruger's work is still relevant to this day as many have their perspectives and objections over a woman's role in life, or how she should e portrayed, boxing them into either A or . Yet this theme, prevalent in feministic art, can be applied to other forms of art especially activism art. 

Barbara Kruger's "Untitled (Your Body is a Battleground)"