In our first reading Why Artistic Activism? We read about the difference between effect and affect. The goal of activism is to create an effect, while generates an affect. When combining the two we see how these terms compliment one another and create an “aeffect”. This form of activism is to evoke emotional experiences that generate real change. In the article they state how art tends to be limited to museums and galleries, while activism challenges that notion in ways that are non conforming. One major example of this is street art. There is no singular way to understand artistic activism because it can be showcased in many different ways.

I really enjoyed the article 10 Female Performance Artists You Should Know. In this we see performance art and how it embodies anti-war protests during the 60s. Aside from the technical definitions, I really loved this article. It is so empowering to see so many women connect with their audiences on such different levels of creative expression, and putting so much love and compassion into their work.

I think artistic activism can be the most impactful form of activism. Art can be interpreted and understood by everyone no matter their background, age, or even language barriers. Viewing art evokes emotion and/or thought to send a message. As both readings express, artistic activism can be simple yet effective. It was interesting to read about the beginning discovery and exploration of artistic activism in “10 Female Performance Artists You Should Know, from Ana Mendieta to Carolee Schneemann.” Especially in the male dominated art world/industry, it was liberating for women to use art as a medium for expression and social and political rebellion. It’s powerful that art can be moving, confrontational, shocking, provoking, and motivational, all just by existing – sometimes even without the use of words. You cannot fight or argue with a piece of art whereas marches, protests, or conferences can lead to violence and hostility that can cause the message to be lost.

Heylee Soto

We as activists can feel powerless, frustrated, depressed, and sick with anxiety. For those of us activists who have learned about the full scope of the present-day scenarios and the coming difficulties, we know we are powerless to stop the forces at hand. Activism enhances a sense of control over your life and combats helplessness and hopelessness. To improve our sense of mattering in the community, and support others in their quest, especially during pandemics, we must join a cause.

I find artistic activism to be very interesting. I like it because it allows those who are more silent and want to spread the word, like me, to involve themselves with activism without being physically on the front lines. There are many ways to represent art in different ways. It doesn’t have to be only drawing, but there are singing, dancing, photography, and many more visual aspects. I love performance art because I love doing different things and seeing things that have a deeper meaning behind them too. Personally, I haven’t done artistic activism, maybe only one time for my environmental science class. Actually, we had a whole project on water, and my group had a short animation on two water droplets and a hint at water pollution, so I guess it was more than once. I want to try and make more, though, because it looks pretty nice and is interesting to learn more about. I know there are different ways to represent various forms of activism. I like seeing art made for environmental activism because I’ve involved myself with that more times. I love seeing art because it makes you feel, but it’s also a mild form of activism. This art will stay for years, and people will look over it over time and try to reenact it, which is why most photography is taken during protests because it captures the moment. I hope to see more of these arts because they’re very interesting to look at and learn about. You learn about what the art means and stick with that meaning for a long time.

Watching the film, while it was both shocking to find out both some of the men and older women in the village didn’t know the scientific reasons for why women menstruate or what a period is, it was also relieving to see someone explain it to them. It felt very progressive to watch the pads be created and watch the village become educated as a whole throughout the short film, but it still initially gave me a bit of a culture shock because it was seen as taboo. I feel like that sort of thing would’ve been less shocking if they were asking children and they didn’t know, but it was grown adults who had no idea. Both periods and the act of menstruating are completely natural things that a woman experiences and it should be seen as such, not some top secret thing.

As for the article regarding obstetric racism, I ended up asking my mother about her childbirth experience when she had me, and am still currently debating on whether or not she was also a victim of obstetric racism. Since it happened twenty years ago I honestly don’t think I should dote on it too much, but it also always feels like this sort of thing is overlooked. I’m not saying I would try and hunt down the nurse or anything because I don’t think it was that serious in the grand scope of things, but honestly my mother didn’t seem upset when I asked her about it, however it could’ve just been that her emotions were prioritized on other things (such as my arrival). I think the last article regarding the debate abotu whether or not transgender people should basically be denied help from medical professionals based on their own decision is beyond ridiculous. It honestly feels like one of those false answers on a multiple choice tests because that’s just how outlandish it sounds to me.