Art of Activism Introduction & Ch.1

Leslie Ramirez

This artwork is an example of art activism, and it caught my eye. It's interesting because in this day and age what is the "truth"? We have access to so much information, it can be hard to tell what is true or not. Whenever the public finds out the truth about what is going on in the world or in their country; it sets off a series of events. However, not many people may know about it due to misinformation, not knowing where to look, or have their heads in the sand. Spreading the truth to every platform and network can either set you free or not at all.

Quotes:

“When used by activists, the phrase “stepping off the curb” refers to the moment that one leaves the sidewalk and enters the street to join a protest, but in a broader sense it means making the step from passive indifference into engagement.” (pg. 16)

This quote stood out to me because of the phrase. I have never heard of this phrase used like this in activism. Chapter one explained that this is like an epiphany, to get out of your bubble and help make a difference. Sometimes, protesting is a risk depending on the situation; you could lose your job or go to prison. But could you live a life of ignorance while people are suffering? Even if a person is not actively marching, they could still help in other ways like boycotting, donating, or spreading awareness on social media.

“If we are going to be effective as artistic activists, we need to operate on real terrain, not on the basis of the democratic fantasy of the European coffee house.” (pg.24)

This quote is interesting as well because not all protests take place on the streets or in front of buildings. Some protests took place inside meetings that were close to the public; it’s a powerful message to send to people in power that this meeting involves the people, and they should get the last word. Protestors can tell their side of the story and expose the true nature of these events when we are not looking.