Art for Change

Plant a seed great idea
Where I live we have such gardens. Planted by the community, and to teach children how to care and appreciate nature more in the city. In comparison to all the land that man is destroying, and contaminating; what do we have for the children of tomorrow?

Thank you for the link.

AE

I don't think of making political art as a valid means of affecting change. Not to say that that makes it anyway invalid as art.

However, when you're talking about influence, you are much more likely to have an effect by volunteering, donating money/services to an organization, protesting, or some other form of direct political action (ahem. violence included.)

Heck, even writing a story or an article is going to get waaay more people behind your cause than some backround paste at a party. One of the more effective methods would be Barbara Krueger's billboards - public and easy to notice. Or, art displayed in an important political context (for example, the French salons. Where people met regularly to discuss the arts and politics.)

So every time I see an art student make a painting that will never leave the classroom, much less the gallery, so intent on that square of color somehow being able to infect some kind of global change, its really absurd. But Goya, Jackes Louis David, Guernica, the journalistic Photograps of the Vietnam war, Barbara Krueger, Depression era photography - all of that art had the power to change because it was in a context that allowed it to function in that way.

Portal Star states:
" But Goya, Jackes Louis David, Guernica, the journalistic Photograps of the Vietnam war, Barbara Krueger, Depression era photography - all of that art had the power to change because it was in a context that allowed it to function in that way"

You say they had the power to change, but did they really, or was it other factors in those times that really made the change?

My answer to the original question in the first post of this thread is no.

I don't understand what it is that your asking.

Are you saying that it was circumstance, more than their personal contribution? Or that the kind of art they did fit in with the kind of movement that was seeking that art?

If so I'd say that is a matter of speculation. They wouldn't have gotten anywhere had they not gotten noticed in the right way. But you could say that about almost any artist.

Guerrilla gardening has been going on for a while. At least twenty years in my experience. Back in Venice, various folks planted street trees in a guerrilla fashion. Slightly problematic in that street tree choice is actually a bit tricky re different trees for size of planting area and the propensities of the trees over time, for example tendency of roots to be on the surface - but still, pretty much a positive action over all, re emotions. If I worked for the city I'd be against it, looking at sidewalk popup, etcetera.

Still, it denotes a yearning for trees..

I suppose I need to go back and review the original question but nah, I'll just jump in. The photo of the napalmed girl will live for decades and maybe centuries. That one changed some minds. No, I can't substantiate how many precisely.

The photos from Magnum/Capa affected many people. And Vietnam war tv coverage affected people, however without art, it was selected and edited and spoken over. Why else would photography in combat zones now be so very restricted.

Well, photography has massive ability to connect people to events and change them, but so does painting, in a much subtler way, usually, but not always - see Siquieros - and certainly so does theater. I spent not a few hours in the seventies watching the San Francisco Mime Troup perform,
and some mind singeing movies..

Can art totally switch someone's mind? Maybe. I would vote yes.

Mind changing is an accretional process. Sometimes something gets credit when it is the straw for a rising camel.

No
I don't deny that many people around the world have made some contributions that have made many us aware of cruelties, our responsibilities to each other, and nature. But I believe they have been short lived in view of the condition of the world today. I think that we have more people that don't care than people that do care.

Angelique - "I think that we have more people that don't care than people that do care." Maybe you mean the ones that have the Power are the ones that don't care, like the Bush Administration? Like what his military has done, beyond the endless killing overseas, to the antiquities at Babylon, like his support for the harvesting of ancient forests...? I hope you can find some kind of constructive energy in your cynicism rather than becoming despondent and indifferent to the state of world affairs. Visionary activists, and subversive guerillas find ways to fight this "evil" carelessness, this drone culture, consumptive, conquer and divide, society. Have you heard of the Women on Waves mobile abortion clinic, "A-Portable," shown at the Venice Biennale in 2001? If you want political art that directly changes lives, and veritably the world, well, here you have it.

http://www.mediamatic.net/article-200.6184.html

Public/Political Art
For all and any of you who can offer constructive criticism to public art in any capacity, which is political, I want to remind you all that most programs offer a place for citizen input at regular board and commission meetings. I encourage all of you to actively participate in your local municipal art program. After all, it is Public Art. Go to your city's website, check the meetings calendar, show up, and least attempt to make a difference--that is, if you're interested.

Great advice art liker. I'm already involved in a few community projects with artist and poets, and see little hope of art really making a difference. Just the way I feel.

Art can do great things. Art can make a difference. It just isn't best suited to politics.

Being depressed about art not influencing politics is silly to me.

By the way, I graduated yesterday (yay!)

And, summarily, the dean talked about how if we were a little more tolerant and understood each other better, we wouldn't be having this conflict in the middle east. And how it was the artists job to save humanity from itself, our responsibility to end the war.

I can just picture him (a retired trumpet specialist) out there on the battlefield yelling "It's okay guys! I know Shubert!"

Being depressed about art not influencing politics is like being depressed that shoes don't fit on your hands. Art is a form of communication, and it can do great things, but it is generally not best suited to politics because of the nature of the media and the way it is viewed.

Congratulations Portal Star on your graduation!

Well don't get depressed about it, I'm not, sorry if it sounded like I was. I'm glad you think that art can make a difference. I'm a bit angry, but I always channel my anger in a positive way.

Portal Star states:
"And, summarily, the dean talked about how if we were a little more tolerant and understood each other better, we wouldn't be having this conflict in the middle east. And how it was the artists job to save humanity from itself, our responsibility to end the war".

The dean said that, a dean? How can artist save humanity if no one listens to them.

I was talking to one of my professors about how many artist suffer so much. He said that it was good for them to suffer so they could be more creative. Of course so others can make money from their work. Many of them die in poverty, and sick. I just does not seem fair.

AE

This is a stupid and dangerous misconception.

There are plenty of great artists who have great mental health - Raphael, Hopper. The reason the media loves to play up the madness/turmoil in the artists life is because it makes a more interesting story (which in turn, sells more art.)

Living life to its fullest extent is what makes you deep. Having troubles that you are strong enough to find ways to overcome, not seeking them out. Attempting to make yourelf miserable in order to be deep is A. idiotic and self-destructive and B. won't work.

It does suck that artists don't make a lot of money (I know this firsthand) but look at it this way - historically, we are in a great position in America as artists. There are all kinds of work out there. Sure, you may have to compromise your vision a bit or put it on the side, but there are plenty of art jobs out there and you won't starve.

I wouldn't be taking too much advice from this teacher of yours if that is what he said. To be a good artist you need discipline and commitment. You don't need suffering. I know, I've had friends who believed that lie and deliberately seeked out poverty/conflict/pain. One of them is a herion addict in jail (no longer making art) and the other has become a self-involved whiny hedonist who lacks the discipline to actually participate in her craft (which is writing.)

If you really want to be a good artist - learn, observe, travel, be curious, and do your best to keep a sound mind and a good work ethic.

I said many not all.

I agree pretty much with everything you say Portal Star.

Some artist also believe that suffering is the only way to be more creative.

Hermann Hesse said:
""I learned through my body, & soul that it was necessary for me to sin, that I needed lust, that I had to strive for property & experience nausea & the depths of despair in order to learn not to resist them, in order to learn to love the world..."

I don't understand how some artist take drugs or alcohol and still are able to produce work. Not to mention the bad example that they give to young people who want to be artist. Maybe that is one of the reasons why they are not taken seriously.

AE

Algis, I like very much! I also looked at your website and liked it too. Why just ten years ago? Have you given up your work? Don't!

Re: Art for Change

http://www.robbieconal.com/aboutrobbie.html

I've liked the Conal posters off and on for decades.
I wouldn't say he changed my mind on anything as I tend to coincidently think much as he does or did, but he may have once or twice made me notice an issue that I ended up agreeing with him on.

Portal, by the way, congratulations, good job well done! Do you know what you are doing next?

Which is not like saying that his art changed the way you discriminate between good and bad.

I agree, of course, that's plain.

In fact I just spent some time re his long term posters and have my own qualms. Still - these pieces were out there at the time, at least when I was paying attention, and sometimes fractionally before comfort time. I remember being pleased to see them, re a quiet city.