Step one:my chosen approach
Creating an art piece that brings awareness to corruption and human rights. Which often go unnoticed in the public eye about what’s happening in places like Guatemala and Africa, seeing how their human rights were violated. To bring recognition into our community of that type of perspective.
step two: research
How should artists address human rights?
- Artists who call attention to victims of conflict and violence must strike a balance between self-expression and respect for their subjects.
- Ai Weiwei has draw attention to the Syrian war which homes one of the largest humanitarian crises in modern history.
- Ai Weiwei is a political activist
- Ai and along with a number of artists are focusing on the human rights and calling attention to the refugee crisis
- “How to balance their own perspectives as emotionally invested outsiders with respect for there subjects.
- “ That our sense of humanity and integrity, our desire for warmth and safety, to be well-treated and respected” (Ai Weiwei)
- This form of art is created to make viewers stop ad look without sensationalizing or normalizing the crisis.
- Awareness of the hundreds and thousands, if not millions, of people their work represents and advocates for
- Artist Patricia Cronin had a collection called Shrine for Girls, which symbolize three moments of gendered violence in history
- Cronin’s work does not give voice to anyone. Artists cannot speak for their subject
- “I think of my work as creating a space for global bereavement”( Cronin’s about Shrine for Girls)
- Rania Matar series Invisible Children helps restore a sense of individuality to the refugees
How is art in a political aspect helpful?
- For direct commitment, for artistic activism, for intervention in the political reality of our society and economy.
- Since the early 1990s, the concept of socially engaged art has been developed with a fresh intensity.
- "What role can art play in politics?"
- We have become accustomed to calling concepts, cultural theories and artwork "political" even if they are based only on theories that have themselves been abstracted from the concrete political realm.
- Either we over-simplify or we make everything too complicated
- Either being too populist or withdraw into a hermetic ivory tower.
- We have always placed their focus on generating situations (reality) instead of representing them.
- They are useful not through their direct engagement but rather by criticizing subtly or polemically the capitalist status quo
How can art help with corruption and human rights?
- Throughout history, people have used the arts as a form of self-expression by reflecting on their lives and what they observe.
- “The Hand That Will Rule the World” by Ralph Chaplin. A symbol of solidarity and unity
- “All Power to the People” by Emory Douglas. To show injustice toward communities of color in the United States.
- The Anatomically Correct Oscar” by The Guerrilla Girls. A feminist activist group.
- “We wear gorilla masks in public and use facts, humor, and outrageous visuals to expose gender and ethnic bias as well as corruption in politics, art, film, and pop culture. We undermine the idea of a mainstream narrative by revealing the understory, the subtext, the overlooked, and the downright unfair.”
- It brings awareness of racism and sexism in the film industry.
- “Red Sand Project” by Molly Gochman. Bringing awareness to human trafficking.
- To recognize the overlooked populations that are at risk of slavery and exploitation.
- “The Blue Bra” by Bahia Shehab. “Represents a rejection of both the conformity and the repression that often stifle the Arabic speaking region and Islamic cultures.”
- Human rights and the arts go together because of the expressive nature of both subjects.
step three: my analysis
STRENGTHS:
- Making an art pieces that portrays such a strong message.
- To ensure fair and equal treatment to all groups and individuals.
- Engages students and other to be more aware about corruption and human rights.
LIMITATIONS:
- Not a broad enough audience.
- Might clash with other perspectives and political beliefs.
- It could engage more with adults than student. Depending on their stand point in the political realm or knowledge on this topic.
HOW I'LL APPLY TO MY PROPOSAL?:
- I'm not sure if my proposal is about finding a solution just bringing more awareness on this topic.