Art and Politics

Art imitates life; it is political as it expresses ideas and emotions that reflect the physical world and its social constructs. Politics is the complex affairs between individuals and groups in society, and reactions to this state of being can only be articulated through abstract mediums of Art and other forms of expression. Our need to communicate ideas and define purpose is an aptitude that has existed since the first pre-historic cave paintings. Human consciousness and our ability to think generates creativity and autonomy expressed in Art, culture and politics.

Classical Art (1000 AD – 1925 AD)

The Greek and Roman civilizations are the foundations of Western Art. Depiction of mythology and Christianity in the paintings and Architecture defined the culture, politics and identity of the Romanesque period (1000-1300). The economic and political progress in the Gothic (1100 -1500) and Renaissance Era (1420 -1520) resulted in a new level of thinking and religious understandings, and the cultural rebirth celebrated the natural world and the human image. This new conviction and the presence developed into the grand Baroque Era (1590-1760), and Art and Architecture depicted glorification and power, celebrating the status of Man over the divine power of the Gods. The Rococo Art period (1725-1780) was influenced by the French aristocracy that celebrated a carefree disposition; light, playful typologies in Art and Architecture replaced the grand and solid forms of the Baroque Era. Classicism (1770-1840) was retrospective to the Roman and Greek periods to revive ideas of foundation and patriotism. Romanticism (1790-1850) was developed in response to Classicism; it was in contrast and a sentimental reaction to the time and period. The development of the Realism movement (1850-1925) concluded the classical period, introducing a new, unfiltered, realistic perspective of the physical world.

Modern Art (1850 – 1969)

The Modern Art period began with the Impressionist movement (1850-1895) when Artists like Claude Monet and Vincent van Gogh defined new techniques and understandings, breaking away from traditional Art. The era of Post-Impressionism and Symbolism (1886-1900) followed the Impressionist movement, and the idea of symbolism and representation through material replaced optical impressions of the natural world. The Art Nouveau movement (1890-1910) was avant-garde; the new style of the bourgeoisie, a political movement in line with the changing industrial world. At the same time, the Expressionism era (1890-1914) emerged as a response to the First World War and as a means of communicating political, subjective and abstract feelings. Cubism (1906-1914) and Futurism (1909-1945) redefined Art, with Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque introducing the Cubist movement about fragmentation, geometry and overlay in perspectives, rejecting rules of traditional Art and social organization. Dadaism (1912-1920) and Surrealism (1920-1930) followed as an anti-war movement; the surrealist illogical and psychoanalytical images challenged the foundation of Art and social constructs. Pop Art (1955-1969) and Neo-Expressionism (1980-1989) appeared as conclusive ideas; the focus on popular culture, consumer products and life in the urban context defined the modern man.

Art and Politics

Art is Political; it can accentuate the socio-political and environmental issues that are interminably present in our society. Art was repeatedly used as a tool of propaganda and symbolism to empower political and religious control in the past and often served as a medium of recollection. The face of Art continuously changes and reconstructs to define perspectives of the era; human history, religion and politics are identified in Art to formulate alternate understandings and interpretations. Contemporary Art promotes thought and discourse over ideas and issues that are vital to our existence. Art celebrates life and culture and, at the same time acts as a tool to fight the constructs of social injustice and inequality. Political concepts like Civil Rights, Social Identity, Religious Systems, Environmental Issues, Capitalist Economy and Policy Systems are often represented and debated by Artists through various mediums. Art is absolute and its physical forms are manifold; it generates perspectives that stimulate emotional and active responses to the surrounding abstractions. Art can influence and catalyze political change to reconfigure and reinterpret our culture and existing social conditions.

Politics Ideas in Contemporary Art

Contemporary Artists make political statements through works of various scales and mediums to communicate and explore critical issues of human rights and political power. Artists debate and criticize government authority, consumerism, and capitalism at risk of harm and legal liabilities. Artwork like “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” by Ai Weiwei, “Past Times” (1997) by Kerry James Marshall and the shredding of the “Girl with Balloon” painting by Banksy criticize power and inequalities that are blatantly present in the modern world. Judy Chicago, a feminist artist from Chicago, created the “Dinner Party” (1974-79) by installing 39 table settings in honour of influential women of history. Conceptual Artist Barbara Kruger created billboard-size artworks that present aphorisms like “I shop therefore I am” and “Your body is a battleground” in sharp criticism of consumerism and sexism. Similarly, Iranian Artist Shirin Neshat used photography and film to define gender identity and the Islamic religious systems. Contemporary environmental Artist Olafur Eliasson used large-scale site installations like the Weather Project (2003) and Ice Watch (2019) to raise awareness about climate and ecological issues. The Artist acts to understand ethical values to justify socio-political order, and Art is a significant disposition.

References:

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