I really enjoyed the topic, I love art and have especially enjoyed learning about art in classes at BMCC. I was very intrigued by the Women the 20th Century Contemporary Art scene and I have read on about how many women were doing ground breaking work that were never known of publicly, especially not as their make counterparts were.

The article Why Artistic Activism did not speak to me to be honest. I don’t feel like I came out of it with a real understanding of what Artistic Activism is, no more than I already had figured on my own. I would’ve loved some more specific examples of the art and what it has done, what change and effect it has made. I guess the quote from Audre Lorde sums up my same feeling about the article, “Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought.” I needed a name to the nameless.

I do think that art as activism is alive and well. It is important because it does communicate messages in a way that, although I wouldn’t agree is always less violent or more peaceful, it’s another form of communication to hopefully have an opportunity to access more people. I think as much as there are some people who need to express themselves through art, there are some people who can digest meaning and understanding better through seeing it in art. Art can be displayed in forums where the viewers who are likely to see it might not go to a more extreme display of activism.

In Why Artistic Activism, “#9 Artistic Activism is Peaceful and Persuasive”, I have often know activist art to be very overt and shocking. I did find it interesting that wasn’t mentioned. It is true that there is no acts of violence, but in the nature of a lot of the art there is a violence. Sometimes that violence is the message. So I actually always have found Artistic Activism to sometimes be very hard to swallow and possibly not the best way to capture all eyes and ear in a way that will help spread a message peacefully.

Either way, it a very great topic and always good to start to think about the voices around me and try to have a new perspective on things.

As I read, “Why artistic activism?” my thoughts on it were that activist art is to describe art that is grounded in the act of doing and addresses political or social issues in today’s society. This activist art can be empowering individuals and communities that are generally situated in the public arena with artists working closely with a community to generate art. it’s mentioned in the reading, “Artistic Activism is a dynamic practice combining the creative power of the arts to move us emotionally with the strategic planning of activism necessary to bring about social change.” as well it mentions, “Artistic Activism is a practice aimed at generating effect: emotionally resonant experiences that lead to measurable shifts in power.” That being said you will come across a work of art that will represent any of the issues in the society that is hoping to change. That can also send out a message on what activism people are trying to change. As it also is something that you would want to address for people to protest for.

The biggest message that I acquired from the reading “Why Artistic Activism” is that art and activism fuel each other: art gains more meaning and value, while activism gains more energy and dimensions. Combining these two means greater support from society, because art is easier to perceive than complicated texts and professional literature. It also deals with pathos and thus people take an issue more seriously. In modern society, it spreads quicker. And, it is a way to bypass censorship in a repressive regime, which I’m seeing a lot right now. For instance, the green ribbon project in Russia is a form of anti-war protest, where people just hang green pieces of fabric or ribbon everywhere they can on the streets. Such activism is hidden and communicates in the first place to like-minded people, showing them that they’re not alone in this. Interestingly, almost all art that I’ve observed lately is a form of activism, yet I didn’t know there’s a term dedicated to it.

In the second article “10 Female Performance Artists You Should Know, from Ana Mendieta to Carolee Schneemann,” one thing that drew my attention was dance as a form of artistic activism. Because I grew up dancing, I’m especially sensitive to performances and I can translate them easily into a story or a message. Through the example of dance, I could realize why artistic activism works so well — there are just certain things about our feelings and emotions that cannot be explained another way.

I really enjoyed reading the article Why Artistic Activism? as it not only breaks down all of the different aspects of artistic activism but also helps the reader understand how they could make art that acts this way as well. It also explains why exactly artistic activism is so effective. Art and activism may seem very separate to a lot of people, but really they go hand in hand with each other very well. It’s true that when people are attached emotionally to something, it makes it much easier to act on it as the article states. The historic examples given are very well thought out. I also really appreciate how accessible it is to many different people. The inherent nonviolence of artistic activism is amazing considering how much of an impact it can have.

The second article 10 Female Performance Artists You Should Know is also really important. I think that it is essential to keep in mind the work that people have done for everyone, especially women. It is often looked over in favor of men who are deemed more important. Adrian Piper was really interesting to me. I felt like the way she went about her activism was very effective in cataloging and representing the issues she meant to explore.

This week’s reading reflection, “Why Artistic Activism” the reading explains the creative power of art motivates us to change the world today. Every meaning behind a painting tells a message about what people are fighting for whether it’s climate change, women, or equal’s rights. The goal of Artistic Activism exists simply to create an effect on their activism and spread awareness of what they are fighting and see if people are willing to join the activism or have an inspiration for their own activism. I feel like the more art we put into activism the more we get people’s attention and the more people will pay attention, and also join the movement. This is inspiring for other people to get into the idea of being creative when it comes to activism, while reading this I thought about some arts that are good and some that are depressing that it’ll make you feel like you’re willing to make a change in the world. Not many people don’t care about activism but when it comes to creativity, art, poetry, etc maybe it’ll change people’s minds and join activism. Activism art has been going on throughout history starting with photography during the civil rights movement. All the photos that are taken during the civil rights protest and riot tell a message for equal rights sometimes people do graffiti on the famous civil rights activist and do something creative to give an inspiring message about what people are fighting for. Artistic Activism is known to empower people throughout the community.

Both readings from this week and visuals educated me on what I’ve seen before on walls in Brooklyn but never truly realized what it meant or stood for. My mom is an artist therefore, all I saw growing up was art whether we went to the MoMa or to a random art exhibit somewhere in Manhattan, I always saw art. I know art can represent feelings or emotions however, I didn’t fully grasp the idea that art can be seen as activism and that it can have a powerful impact on people, places, or things. I’ve always known that art is a way to express one’s self or others but have learned through reading, “Why Artistic Activism?” by Stephen Duncombe and Steve Lambert is that specifically, artistic activism has been present and used throughout history like when activists drew upon the stories and songs in the struggle for the Civil Rights movement. Artistic activism isn’t meant to look pretty, it isn’t really meant to be noticed immediately as it isn’t really seen at galleries or known art museums but it rather just pops up; it shows up unannounced with a loud and imperative presence. Throughout both articles I also learned that artistic activism is activism that doesn’t look like activism and art that doesn’t look like art. It surprises us and doesn’t show up looking like art therefore, you have to dive in deeper and look to understand instead of just looking to look. Being able to view different forms of artistic activism throughout the reading, “10 Female Performance Artists You Should Know, from Ana Mendieta to Carolee Schneemann” by Karen Chernick was extremely interesting to view the different artists such as: Martha Wilson, Carmen Beuchat, and Ana Mendieta who each have their own stories, voices, and forms of artistic activism expression.

This week i really learned a lot. I have never heard of most of these female artist performers. Learning about these women and how they have put themselves out there and standing up in a way where people pay attention, they did not have the support they would have today when people look at their works of art, It made me think about activism today and how dangerous it is to even have a sign someone my not agree with.

Artistic Activism is a way to stand up for what you believe in and also it can be mysterious when you just want to create something impactful but stay anonymous. Being a activist of anykind is a dangerous thing but we must continue the good fight and reinvent ways to be artistic activist.

This week’s readings speak about how Art has been incorporated into activism. Art on its own is a way of expression, and through that expression, you can let the world know how you are feeling. There is something so beautiful about expressing your feeling in Art and having people see your work and relate to it. In the reading “Why Artistic Activism?” by Stephen Duncombe and Steve Lambert, they speak about how activism moves the material in the world while Art moves the heart, body, and soul. They also explain that artistic activism is a practice aimed at generating emotional experiences that lead to measurable shifts in power. Activism in Art plays a significant role in helping structure a way to look at situations that need to be assessed even if not many people can understand. When it comes to femicide in Mexico, the danger of creating a community to support and push forward the injustice that women face daily can lead to death.

MV

Reading the 10 Female Performance Artists was nice. I love art. It has always caught my eye; I can go to an art museum and just explore the artwork and take in all the beauty of it. Art for me is a beautiful way of expression. Art tells a story it can be different to everyone. I agree with the article saying “when it comes to saying it is a powerful form that can create lots of space for minorities to express themselves who have been silenced for so long. They can tell their story through art. It lets them communicate in a more comfortable way for them. It is fascinating to look at art and feel the art communicates to you. Activism can be shown through paintings or art. It is about empowering an individual and the community.