Protest or Propaganda Project
Printmaking has a long history of political activism. Because of its visual graphic nature, ease of production and low cost, prints were readily made for mass communication. From artists such as Daumier, to Manet, Goya, to more contemporary artists like Sue Coe.
The primary goal of this project is to respond visually to a current event or issue of your choice. You will start with information you gather from TV, newspapers or online. The emphasis will be on your “response”, and that you are providing some form of commentary beyond the information you have gathered. I want to know your view on the subject.
What is different about making your art vs political art?
Rather than dealing with metaphors and personal iconography, Political art has a specific point of view.
What makes effective protest or propaganda art?
Think about Originality:
Are you going to use Satire/Humor, Data/Statistics or Shock value, there are many ways to achieve your goals.
Don't just be simplistic and say things like "Pollution is Bad", Be Specific and engaging. Make them think about something. Are you asking for a call to action or trying to educate them on the topic? DO NOT JUST DO A VERSION OF OR REPEAT SOMEONE ELSES IDEA.
Break it Down
What are the various aspects (sub-issues) involved in your issue? For example: If you choose a topic like Global Warming, you might think about what are the different aspects of this (recycling, carbon footprint, fossil fuels, travel, etc, and maybe select one of these aspects to address).
Who is your audience?
What are you trying to communicate? Or achieve? (Call to Action or Education?)
Political Art
“Most, if not all works of art can be understood in social and political terms. Politics in the context of an exhibition needs to be defined. If it is understood as the active exercise of power in relation to a society or to a particular group of people, then the function of the artist is to articulate, examine and criticize that relationship. The question is, why criticize through static personal images, a form of communication that is seemingly passé; a means of communication that speaks to a very select audience. I have heard numerous artists say that political image making has no effect, and is therefore useless. However, making images that are both a reaction to power, as well as the essence of an individual's creative gesture, gives each individual a voice, like no other form of expression. It is the essence of freedom; and the significance of these images is not reduced because of the modesty of their direct effect on events. That is not their ultimate role. Art does not have to change the circumstance to have unique validity. Its validity and significance comes in power being both confronted and individualized. It produces a testament of individual perception, personal experience, criticism, hope, and anger.”
-except from Hugh Merrill.
The primary goal of this project is to respond visually to a current event or issue of your choice. You will start with information you gather from TV, newspapers or online. The emphasis will be on your “response”, and that you are providing some form of commentary beyond the information you have gathered. I want to know your view on the subject.
What is different about making your art vs political art?
Rather than dealing with metaphors and personal iconography, Political art has a specific point of view.
What makes effective protest or propaganda art?
- Readability: Your audience needs to know your point of view. Are you for it or against it? If they can’t tell, then it’s not very effective. At worst if they read the opposite meaning from your intention, then you’ve worked against your own beliefs.
- Images that resonate, and you can recall (Graphic power).
- Communication: It's about Clarity. You must convey your ideas clearly, For example you don't want a piece protesting an idea to be interpreted as you advocating for it instead.
Think about Originality:
Are you going to use Satire/Humor, Data/Statistics or Shock value, there are many ways to achieve your goals.
Don't just be simplistic and say things like "Pollution is Bad", Be Specific and engaging. Make them think about something. Are you asking for a call to action or trying to educate them on the topic? DO NOT JUST DO A VERSION OF OR REPEAT SOMEONE ELSES IDEA.
Break it Down
What are the various aspects (sub-issues) involved in your issue? For example: If you choose a topic like Global Warming, you might think about what are the different aspects of this (recycling, carbon footprint, fossil fuels, travel, etc, and maybe select one of these aspects to address).
Who is your audience?
What are you trying to communicate? Or achieve? (Call to Action or Education?)
Political Art
“Most, if not all works of art can be understood in social and political terms. Politics in the context of an exhibition needs to be defined. If it is understood as the active exercise of power in relation to a society or to a particular group of people, then the function of the artist is to articulate, examine and criticize that relationship. The question is, why criticize through static personal images, a form of communication that is seemingly passé; a means of communication that speaks to a very select audience. I have heard numerous artists say that political image making has no effect, and is therefore useless. However, making images that are both a reaction to power, as well as the essence of an individual's creative gesture, gives each individual a voice, like no other form of expression. It is the essence of freedom; and the significance of these images is not reduced because of the modesty of their direct effect on events. That is not their ultimate role. Art does not have to change the circumstance to have unique validity. Its validity and significance comes in power being both confronted and individualized. It produces a testament of individual perception, personal experience, criticism, hope, and anger.”
-except from Hugh Merrill.
Issues of Today (This is just a partial list of possible ideas, you can choose your own topic as well)
|
Covid-19
Climate Change/Global Warming War Indigenous Rights Black Lives Matter Defund the Police Veteran’s Issues Voting Rights Body Issues Gender Sexuality Missing Indigenous Women Race LGBTQ Civil Rights Immigration |
Marijuana
Minimum Wage Equal Pay Pro-Choice/Pro-Life Income Inequality Pipeline Internet Neutrality Healthcare Education Guns Hunting Rights/Access State/Federal Lands Water/ Air quality Mining/Logging Trade/Tariffs Land Issues |
Politics
Human Trafficking Capital Punishment Voting Animal Rights Recycling Capital Punishment Police Violence Genetically modified foods Campaign Finance TRANS Rights Military Spending AIDS Nuclear proliferation Hunger Workers Rights 99% |
Additional Gallery
Note on grading:
You are not being graded on whether you are for or against a particular point of view, you are being evaluated based on originality and how effectively you graphically represent your point of view.
You are not being graded on whether you are for or against a particular point of view, you are being evaluated based on originality and how effectively you graphically represent your point of view.
Project Parameters:
- Select a topic, YOU MUST EITHER BE FOR OR AGAINST SOMETHING.
- IT MUST BE A REAL ISSUE!!! It can't be some fictional issue like "Save the Dragons" or "Stop Alien Abductions".
- Image size: 10" x 16" minimum, on minimum of half sheet of cougar.
- Minimum of 3 layers
- Can utilize any of the following processes you've learned this semester.
- Edition size: 10 high quality prints