Speaking Through Your Art

Using Political and Social Issues as a Platform for your Art

What is political art? What are some examples of political art

throughout history? How is political art used today?

Questions Covered in this Presentation

Image from Microsoft

What is political art?And how does it affect society?

It is often assumed that political art refers to ◦ Propaganda ◦ Campaign Adds◦ Anything created by the government

But Political Art encompasses much more than just the art created by and for governmental purposes.

Breaking preconceptions…

Visual Art that◦ Contains political subject matter◦ Takes a stand on an issue◦ Addresses a public concern◦ Awakens viewer sensitivity◦ Inspires Action

Political Art is…

Iwo Jima Memorial Abortion

German Nazi Propaganda

It can bring attention to an issue Encourage certain emotions towards the

artist or an organization/group◦ Sympathy◦ Anger◦ Pacify

Encourage change Control a group of people Honor an event, a person, or an idea

Its Effect on Society…

What are some examples of political art throughout

history?Looking at Francisco de Goya, Pablo Picasso, and Robert Rauschenberg

Official career reached height in 1808

Disasters of War, a series of etchings

Recorded the violence and tragedy of Napoleon’s invasion of Spain

Francisco de Goya (1746-1828)

Etching of Francisco de Goya, Self Portraithttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/240310/Francisco-de-Goya

“No More”

Photo from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/240310/Francisco-de-Goya

“The Third of May 1808”

Photo from http://faculty.evansville.edu/rl29/art105/f01/art105-6.html

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

“Guernica” (1937)Picture from http://homepage.mac.com/dmhart/WarArt/StudyGuides/Picasso.html

Guernica is a city in Spain which was bombed during the Spanish Civil War by the German Air force

Picasso’s first real political piece One of the most famous war paintings of all

time Portrays the event from the point of view of

the victims

Information from Hart, David M. "War and Art." David M. Hart's Webpage. N.p., 29 Jan. 2004. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. <http://homepage.mac.com/dmhart/WarArt/StudyGuides/Picasso.html>.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

Started an “artistic revolution”

Loved to use found objects in his art to make combines

Used images from society in his art to comment on modern society

Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008)

Photo from http://devorzongallery.com/blog/?cat=20

“Stop” (1963)

Photo from http://www.worldgallery.co.uk/art-print/Stop-(1963)-163264.html

“Retroactive 1 (Kennedy)”

Photo from http://www.worldgallery.co.uk/art-print/Retroactive-I-%28Kennedy%29-162975.html

“Pledge” (1968)

Photo from http://www.sauer-thompson.com/junkforcode/archives/2004_06.html

How is political art used today?

How does it affect my life?

Political Art, especially today, is more than just paintings, drawings, and sculptures

Most effective form of political art is dramatization

But there are many other forms such as◦ Music (Punk rock)◦ Film◦ Photography◦ Dance◦ And more

Images from Microsoft

You personally can create something that addresses an issue

You receive these images everyday

What do you choose to do when you see them and how do you interpret them?

HOW DOES IT EFFECT MY LIFE?

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What are some examples of current issues that could be used as a platform for your artwork?

The War in Iraq/ War on Terror

The Health Care Reform The economic state of the

country Government Spending Homosexual Rights Abortion Global Warming

Issue Ideas to Get You Started…

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Child Abuse Teen Pregnancy Pollution/ Going Green Education Reform (ex.

No Child Left Behind) Obesity Clean Water

Issue Ideas (continued…)

Image from Microsoft

Those were just a few ideas to get you started.

So find something you are passionate about and…

Get Creative!

Slide 5: Information from http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Definition+of+the+Word+Political+Art&page=1&qsrc=6&dm=all&ab=5&u=http%3A%2F%2Fencyclopedia.farlex.com%2Fpolitical%2Bart&sg=1xodkGK0BXZDA8prq0K3CKy%2BzcGdD5sO2Sv9z%2Ba2Fmk%3D&tsp=1267067626858

http://www.ehow.com/about_4586293_political-art.html

German Propaganda from http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/holoprelude/nazprop.html and Abortion from http://movieaddict.deviantart.com/art/abortion-38418274 , Iwo Jima Memorial by Tim Rawle from http://www.flickr.com/photos/timrawle/

Slide 6 and 18: Information from http://www.ehow.com/about_4586293_political-art.html

Slide 8: Information from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/240310/Francisco-de-Goya

Slide 13: Information from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/robert-rauschenberg/about-the-artist/49/

Work Cited: