ASSESSMENT 3 z5093534 Deep Dutta Revolutionary ideas can be proposed through art and design. Compare and contrast two revolutionary creative works, one from the 20th century and one from the 21st century. How has the context contributed to the approach, medium and presentation of the works? Leo Tolstoy described art as “one of the means of intercourse between man and man” in his book, ‘What is Art?’(1897).This is true when we stand beside strangers in an art gallery, and gaze at an artist’s work. One might praise the artist’s craftsmanship and the other may criticizing its overarching message. What transpires in this interaction is exactly what Tolstoy wrote about no matter how opposing the two responses may be. The creator, the producer of the art, invites viewers to study his work, evokes questions, and leaves it in a state of undress. Mankind has used art for a great number of distinct uses, which is the reason why the purpose of art cannot be compressed into a single concept. In contemporary social activism, Art is a key element because more often than not, it takes visuals to get an important message across. Using art as medium, avant-garde artists can produce knowledge and interact with unsavoury political systems. Art activism is defined as a “visual representation of what’s already embedded in us. It speaks of our frustration, hoping to empower us to do something about it”. When dialogue isn’t possible in socio-political conflicts, art steps in to protest. It is an
Art is not always pleasant, but neither is society. Art and society have a reflective relationship with one another. During social, religious, and political controversy, artists such as Frida Kahlo incorporated imagery into their portraits of society which are often disturbing to the viewer. The role of an artist often includes acting as a social critic, to show us aspects of our cultural landscape that are unpleasant. In this manner, the art acts as a commentary on the negative aspects of Western civilisation. During the thirties and forties, Kahlo incorporated the hidden realities of economic and social depression into her works.
Although artistic practices have arguably always been products and producers of both high and popular culture, the age of postmodernism and the genesis of cultural studies allow a more integrated focus on this relationship. In the introduction to Jospeh Natoli and Linda Hutcheon's compilation, A Postmodern Reader , postmodernity is defined as a “post-1960s period label attached to cultural forms that display certain characteristics,” it is “often a mixing of the conventions of popular and high art,” and as a whole, it has “opened the way for such new counter disciplinary domains as cultural studies” (Hutcheon vii-viii). This counter- or more appropriately, inter-disciplinary scholarship emphasizes the oft incestual connection between socio-cultural politics and art. To be sure, “postmodernity's assertion of the value of inclusive “both/and” thinking deliberately contests the exclusive “either/or” binary oppositions of modernity. Postmodern parody, ambiguity, irony, indeterminacy and contingency are seen to replace modern closure, unity, order, the absolute, and the rational” (Hutcheon ix). Boundaries are increasingly blurred—nationally and globally, everything is becoming hybridized. This theoretical shift in how we view culture and its artifacts directly reflects the technological
Nevertheless, I believed that I was limited in how I could be proactive. This belief stemmed from my inability to visualize myself expressing resistance through art. I knew art induced emotions within audiences that facts could not, and I knew combining art and information to create an argument that was both logical and emotional was an effective way to motivate audiences in support of social justice. However, before this class, I had never created protest art and believed only professional artists could make significant contributions to protest art. Due to this, I was unable to incorporate art in my own resistance against oppressive
When studying artists, styles of art and their respective time period, it is always important to find a few key artists that were responsible for the rise of new art trends. Traditionally, art has often a reflection of the most important elements within its respective time period, such as wars, religions, royalty, culture and expression. This is why the study of art history is needs to look deeper than simply understanding how certain artworks were created. Among the various artists studied in the course, Andy Warhol is definitely one of the most influential. Far ahead of his time in thinking and talented in several media forms, Warhol was a product of his time and defined his era with the use of his artwork, giving rise to other artists within the same time period. This paper will argue that Warhol was not only an influence to modern art, he defined the concept of "pop art", which combined consumerism and pop culture, creating works that questioned the norm of society at the time, while providing a strong influence to future artists. Warhol was hugely successful in his artistic efforts and several of his staple works will be discussed in regards to its significance and representation of its respective period of time, as well as Warhol’s influence on the history of art.
This piece was created during a time of political and social change. Increased political awareness and a focus on celebrity demanded art that was more
A massive artistic change begins with a sense of something about this is wrong. The next step is anger against the wrong and a decision to rectify it. Later, the anger and need for change bleed into every artistic form to revolutionize culture itself. There is no better example of a counter-culture movement than America in the 1960’s, as defiance of previous social norms took place in the Civil Rights movement, the beginning of feminism, and the construction of a radical “hippie” lifestyle. Through cultural changes came rapid controversial evolution in the arts, particularly in music and fashion.
In order for a work of public art to be considered effective, it must have an element of complexity, provoking the thought of the
An “Essay on the Influence of the Art of Design” by William Dunlap compelling argues the critical importance and influence of art on the modern day society. A main aspect of his argument is that art, “…will perpetuate knowledge and prevent a second deluge of barbarism….” (p190) Dunlap believes that art enhances society, he claims that, ‘Before the benign influence shed upon him by the fine arts, man existed; he can scarcely be said to have lived, as man.” (p190) This is similar to the argument given by Robert Morse in his review by stating that art, “…should rank the highest which requires the greatest exercise of the mind….” (p177)
As art is constantly changing and evolving, it is important to comprehend the developments being made in how artists are expressing themselves and their ideas through their work. Furthermore, it is necessary to understand the role that artwork plays in modern political and social spheres. Art is an invaluable method of communicating different perspectives regarding significant problems in the world and their solutions. The relationship between the works of Ai Wei Wei and Banksy is significant to discuss. Both are contemporary artists who use their work to express thoughts and feelings regarding pertinent social or political issues. Image is very effective in capturing people’s attention, and both artists take advantage of this to further their opinions on various issues.
Many artists have the power to make minor changes to how you think and how you see things, however, it's when artists interact with and respond to the world around them that they have the most power to do this. Two artists that do this particularly well are Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg. Both artists created during the context of the Cold War, allowing them to create works which applied to that timeframe, however, the art has been given new meaning and still applies today. Two artworks from each artist that are most effective are titled, ‘Target with Four Faces’ and ‘Flag’ by Jasper Johns, and ‘White Paintings’ and ‘Monogram’ by Robert Rauschenberg. These works highlight how these artists interact with and respond to the world around
Art is a catalyst of change. It can confront both social and political issues as well as providing people with a creative outlet in which they can express their innermost thoughts and feelings - but what effect can art have on our society as a whole? Artists today have the unique ability to connect with people in a creative, innovative way that they can understand and interpret themselves. With this ability, artists are able to express their own views as well as influencing the views of others. Art is an immense part of our world – so much so that we barely even consider its impact upon us – but just how significant is the work of artists in our modern day society?
With this essay I will be comparing the way propaganda was used during the World Wars, what was their aim and target audiences and how they affected civilian and military moral and more importantly how art and poster design was used to properly influence and imprint ideas and morals to the viewers. I will also compare how different design techniques were used in each war and how effective or ineffective they were in each case and what their common attributes were and in what way they were different.
From the article the art component of art activism is a main reason for the activism failure on the pragmatic, practical level on the level of its immediate social and political impact. We also learn how art is seen useless traditionally and it is viewed that the quasi-ontological uselessness affects art activism and makes it fail. More so I get to understand that art is always celebrated and beautifying the status quo therefore undermining the will to change the activism. Critiques of art as useless ,morally and polically bad is not new one and in old days this critics
Russian Avant-Garde was born at the start of the 20th century out of intellectual and cultural turmoil. Through the analysis of artworks by Aleksandr Rodchenko and El Lissitzky this essay attempts to explore the freedom experienced by artists after the Russian Revolution in 1917. This avant-garde movement was among the boldest and most advanced in Europe. It signified for many artists an end to the past academic conventions as they began to experiment with the notions of space, following the basic elements of colour, shape and line. They strove for a utopian existence for all benefited by and inspired through the art they created. They worked with, for and alongside the politics of the time. The equality for all that they sought would
The beginning of 20th century was a time of drastic change. New developments were made in the arenas of the classical sciences, social science, psychology and philosophy - each challenging traditional thought. Industrialization and the introduction of many new, challenging concepts in the fields of politics as well as the development of new technologies gave artist more freedom to innovate and break the rules of traditional art. By using new materials, techniques and the new approach artists were pushing boundaries of what has previously been accepted art practice in order to invent radically new styles.