Continued Conversation
The conversation we began in class has continued for me in a number of hallways and studios, so I thought I would post something in order to be able to track it and attract new voices, especially those who disagree with my own.
When we were talking in class about young artists feeling a sort of nostalgia for modernism, or at least turning back towards it in some way, an interesting conversation began and was cut short and I hope to continue it here. If I remember correctly, Ali is attracted to the “revolutionary spirit� of modernist thinkers, and believes that young artists ARE returning to these roots in some way. Community based art, art of the people, street art are some examples I’m thinking of. Ali, please feel free to expound on this opinion, because I would LOVE to know more specifically how you think about this. I would particularly appreciate examples of art created in this manner that you feel have been successful and effective.
I’m a an overall positive thinker, and believe our generation is instigating change. I know there is some trend of returning to community based arts and living, and that many people are now interested in community gardens and supporting local businesses. In the late 70’s and 80’s those ideas were less trendy, as the accumulation of personal wealth was more of an ideal, and was also pretty easy to do. The economy was exploding. Now, people are returning back to those old roots. The oppressors are still oppressing, and the effects of capitalism-gone-wild are even more clear. People are upset about globalization, and want to return power to local communities. I have seen some excellent examples of people and artists working to bring back this way of thinking.
What I am most interested in discussing, though, is how artists can do this effectively. How can we make art that brings power back to the people who truly need the “truth�? It is one thing to make art that talks to other artists and educated minds, and quite another to actually involve the uneducated masses. I really enjoyed seeing Ali and Jenny’s collaborative digital drawing on the side of the building, and can see how something this engaging might begin to bring the general public into the conversation. It’s unavoidable, beautiful, and curious. It belongs to everyone who sees it.
Also, how do artists effectively engage the “oppressors,� or “the other side?� I can respect Kandinsky’s effort to in my mind “legitimize� art by making it systematic and scientific and therefore relatable and somewhat valuable to other types of minds. Many people disagreed with me here, or thought it was a cynical approach. I may be entirely misunderstanding his intent, but regardless, is completely rejecting the existing paradigm the only way to protest? Does that really foster communication? What about forcing what you are doing into that framework simply for the purpose of communication and understanding, not to mention the empathy that must result from gaining the perspective of the “other side?� I’m not sure how we can have conversations without at least attempting to understand why the other perspectives, no matter how violently we disagree with them. And more importantly, how can we use our true understanding of those perspectives to strengthen the effectiveness of our arguments? Should we be thinking about this at all, or should we just be reacting to what we see?
Comments
When you talk about how the artist should engage the oppressors, I instantly think about the victims being weak,(form Brecht) and being oppressed because of ones own lack of power to change their own situation. so finding inner strength personally is part of building a stronger people. This idea isn't very group oriented in the "work" part of community involvement but together each better part makes a better whole. I also realize this is an idealistic approach. There would have to be equal opportunities for all and on the material plane it is not this way. To put this change of personal power into the minds of people may be how art can change the relationship and outcome of oppression and help people build a new truth to their own exsistence. I'm giving people more credit than they deserve here....we can talk all we want about reaching people with art, but the people have to be available to want to see something new. I want to add that I agree with what you said about the video projection work The processes of MAW is a true way to disrupt the ordinary situation and confront the pedestrian with excitement of the other.
Posted by: Jennifer Anable | September 14, 2008 8:26 PM