Week 2

 

"Love Is in the Air" by Banksy is a powerful artwork that immediately grabs your attention. At first, it looks like a scene of protest, with someone ready to throw something. But if you look closer, you see they're throwing flowers, not something harmful. This small change completely changes the story. Instead of violence, it's about spreading love and hope. The protester chooses to express their feelings peacefully, which is really different from what we usually see in protests. It makes us think about how we can make our voices heard without causing harm.

An Introduction to Activist Art

1. "Paula Rego‘s ‘Abortion Series’ from 1998 is a fitting example of art that had a direct political impact. When a referendum to legalize abortion in Portugal failed in 1998, the artist created a series of paintings that highlighted the fear, pain, and danger of illegal abortions. Her artworks had a great impact and were partly responsible for changing public opinion in favor of legalized abortions during the second referendum in 2007."

- Paula Rego's 'Abortion Series' showed how art can change laws. She painted about illegal abortions after Portugal said no to legalizing abortion in 1998. Her paintings made people understand the pain of illegal abortions. They helped change minds, and in 2007, Portugal allowed abortion.

2. “When the public is looking away from suffering that could be prevented or does not want to be confronted with it, activist art often creates a dialogue and forces people to think about these problems.” 

- When people ignore suffering or don't want to see it, activist art steps in. It starts conversations and makes people think about the problems they're ignoring.

Why Artistic Activism?

1. “Artistic activism stimulates a culture of creativity.”

- This quote highlights the idea that artistic activism not only addresses social issues but also inspires creativity within society as a whole. When artists use their creativity to advocate for change, it encourages others to think outside the box and find innovative ways to engage with important issues. By blending artistry with activism, individuals are encouraged to explore new perspectives, challenge norms, and ultimately contribute to a more dynamic and inclusive cultural landscape.

2. "Social change doesn’t just happen, it happens because people decide to make change."

- This quote emphasizes that social change isn't automatic; it occurs when people actively choose to create change through their actions and decisions.

THE 25 INFLUENTIAL WORKS

1. "'Manifestos don't work,' Finkelstein recently wrote. 'Sentences barely do. You need sound bites, catchphrases, crafted in plain language...'"

- This quote suggests that concise and straightforward messaging, like sound bites and catchphrases, is more effective in communication than lengthy manifestos or complex sentences.

2. "'Americans,' Luna once said, 'like romance more than they like the truth.'"

- This quote implies that Americans often prefer romanticized stories over plain truths. They might be more interested in emotionally appealing tales than facing harsh realities. My opinion is that while emotional stories can captivate people, it's essential to remember the importance of truth. Balancing engaging narratives with factual accuracy is key for a well-informed society.