October 12 - Early Avant-Garde

The Avant-Gardes and the new ideas that these groups brought to art, culture and society is very interesting and intriguing to me. I am particularly interested in the Dadaists, Constructivists and Surrealists because of their non-conventional approach to art making and the social aspect of the works. I also find it interesting to learn about their critique of the bourgeois society and its cultural conventions. Although some of the work may not be aesthetically appealing, the dialogue that occurs with the object and artist can make a viewer think differently about objects and its cultural meaning or its "non-meaning". When I say "non-meaning", I am referring to the appropriation of culturally savoured objects which are De-mystified through its change in position or physical alteration. For example Marcel Duchamp is knowned for his constructed sculptures which often critique the bourgeois society. Duchamp's Fountain (see image below) is an example of an object (urinal) that when constructed in a different position and setting becomes a silhouette of the Virgin Mary. Duchamp creates this dialogue with viewers and puts new meaning into objects, critiquing the bourgeois culture. The use of "low" art materials like found objects, paper, collage or photomontage is the medium to stimulate dialogue with the "high" artists or bourgeoisie. The Avant-Garde subjectivity seems to take new thoughts or theories of their day, bring it to the art work to create social change. All of these movements seem to inspire activist art in ways which are non-conventional and break all norms of society.

I enjoyed Paul Wood's The Revolutionary Avant-Gardes: Dada, Constructivism and Surrealism reading very much and wonder if the activist artists of our time, today are Avant-Garde. Or who is? and what is the new thought of our time that can stimulate a positive change in our society?


Click on Image to Enlarge.
http://www.studiolo.org/Mona/images/DuchampFountain.jpgciety.

October 5 - The Politics of Publicity

The idea of the "Public Sphere" is essential with activist art. It seems that activist art can only occur with a space where both society and state can have a communication exchange. In urban cities the boundaries between public and private spaces are ambiguous. "Private Property" signs seem to give notice of private spaces and even still, some public spaces don't seem public at all. Government enforcements seem to still control these spaces through laws and surveillance. It also seems that there is a process by which one needs to go through in order to post up signs or hold events.

Many activist artists and street artists seem share the same approach in creating a dialogue with the public, which often challenges societal and political norms. The public sphere can be a space where both society and state can have a platform for debate or discussion. I suppose the state's communication with activism and activist art goes through some negotiation process. To me, it seems like its only one negotiation process, the government's process. I might sound anti-bureaucratic or anti-government right now and I suppose that because there seems to be this polarized system in which we live in. I know that some government structures try their best to fulfill all the needs of all people but, activist art exists because of the hidden or sometimes ignored issues of the people. I was walking along Queen Street in Toronto one day and noticed the Speaker's Corner Podium (see image below)at Nathan Phillip's Square. It struck me that I never really noticed it before considering that I walked through this area several times. I suppose I never really noticed it because I have never experienced anyone using it. I am not sure that I would myself but, I'm thinking about it. This Speaker's podium is a public space for people to use yet, thee are specific discretions a speaker must make and some that I personally agree with. I suppose activist art takes some issues to another level that needs more attention than speaking on a government placed podium.


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September 21 - Critical Theories of Cultural Production

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Andy Warhol is an artist who uses the idea of production through his artwork. His images of icons and everyday objects or events are used in a repetitive pattern to call attention to the concept of product and the glamorization of such products. People or celebrities also become products or commodified through the process of the media culture. Andy Warhol himself seems to become a machine-like producer and also product himself. HIs work seems to question ideas of "low" art and "high" art and the question of defining art. Walter Benjamin's Author as Producer remind of Warhol's work.

Although Andy Warhol is known as POP art, his concepts, techniques and image delivery give different meanings and thoughts to social issues, which can be identifiable to viewers today. Interestingly, Andy Warhol's images have been referenced or inspired by contemporary activist artists.

Production or the use of the production concept is useful in political art because it can reach the masses. Social and politcal ideas can be consumed by viewers. I have also seen work by artists who use the Newspaper as a space in which they can express or make a political or social statement. The newspaper is a an object and space in which reaches the masses and can create an informal dialogue between the reader and the artist about a particular issue.

Benjamin states that "social production can bring about forms of social change". I suppose activist art uses creative ways and techniques that are not formalized through corporate identities or advertising but, essentially the same idea to create a form of spectacle to attract attention. Through a performative demonstration in a venue or public space where an author (artist) can produce a process, the public or partcipants become involved with the author (artist) in a physical, verbal, intellectual and social dialogue.

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Andy Warhol. 13 Most Wanted Men. 1964.
(Image taken from FADIS)

September 14 - Course Intro: What is Activist Art?

I think that it is intersting to read about the history of art activism. What I find most intriguing is the dialogue between artists and participants that can occur with activist art. Art transcends being an object of admiration or intellectual thought, is brought to the public and confronts social issues. I like that in activist art there is public involvement or participation of the public. it also seems that when activist art occurs, public participation is inevitable whether they are aware of it or not. It seems intentional by the artist to disrupt the regular routines of daily life.

Activist art is art because it also invloves a creativity to attract attention, awareness of a particular social or political issue, and to open a dialogue between people and social systems. However, I am conflicted whether activist art can be an advertisement for financial profit. Can activist organizations capitalze from social needs or issues? Perhaps it could if, monetary gain is going toward the cause and not only to individuals organizing the group.

Nina Felshin's "Introduction" in But is it Art: The Spirit of Art as Activism, clearly gives a introduction to what activist art is. The most important point she seems to make is that activist art is a process that takes places in public spaces. Activist art is also euphemral in a sense because, it seems to occur at one time and the event and its response cannot be repeated or dupilcated. Even activist art that is materialized like poster art or graffiti also seems to be euphemral because of impermanence. Paper decays and graffiti transforms with more graffiti over it or private organizations painting over it. Activist art is different because it doesn't require permission. The art system itself seems to require permission, like galleries which requires a portfolio submission along with a list of criteria. Activist art attempts to go beyond the mainstream system and ideals to give voice to the people or issues need to be heard or acknowledged.

Bansky is one of my favorite contemporary "street" artists. Bansky often uses contemporary issues which in turn, in my opinion, becomes a form of activist art. Bansky's political and social issues are bold and often put the viewer face to face with issues of corporate globalization, war, art or the idea of art, government power and panopticism.
I have added a link to Bansky's website and have included some of the images attached to this blog. Enjoy!

http://www.banksy.co.uk/
Click on Image to Enlarge.