Protest ART example
Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso
Probably Picasso's most famous work, Guernica is certainly the his most powerful political statement, painted as an immediate reaction to the Nazi's devastating casual bombing practice on the Basque town of Guernica during Spanish Civil War. Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.
This work is seen as an amalgmation of pastoral and epic styles. The discarding of color intensifis the drama, producing a reportage quality as in a photographic record. Guernica is blue, black and white, 3.5 metre (11 ft) tall and 7.8 metre (25.6 ft) wide, a mural-size canvas painted in oil. This painting can be seen in the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid.
Interpretations of Guernica vary widely and contradict one another. This extends, for example, to the mural's two dominant elements: the bull and the horse. Art historian Patricia Failing said, "The bull and the horse are important characters in Spanish culture. Picasso himself certainly used these characters to play many different roles over time. This has made the task of interpreting the specific meaning of the bull and the horse very tough. Their relationship is a kind of ballet that was conceived in a variety of ways throughout Picasso's career."
Some critics warn against trusting the polital message in Guernica. For instance the rampaging bull, a major motif of destruction here, has previous figured, whether as a bull or Minotaur, as Picasso' ego. However, in this instance the bull probably represents the onslaught of Fascism. Picasso said it meant brutality and darkness, presumably reminiscent of his prophetic. He also stated that the horse represented the people of Guernica.
Probably Picasso's most famous work, Guernica is certainly the his most powerful political statement, painted as an immediate reaction to the Nazi's devastating casual bombing practice on the Basque town of Guernica during Spanish Civil War. Guernica shows the tragedies of war and the suffering it inflicts upon individuals, particularly innocent civilians. This work has gained a monumental status, becoming a perpetual reminder of the tragedies of war, an anti-war symbol, and an embodiment of peace. On completion Guernica was displayed around the world in a brief tour, becoming famous and widely acclaimed. This tour helped bring the Spanish Civil War to the world's attention.
This work is seen as an amalgmation of pastoral and epic styles. The discarding of color intensifis the drama, producing a reportage quality as in a photographic record. Guernica is blue, black and white, 3.5 metre (11 ft) tall and 7.8 metre (25.6 ft) wide, a mural-size canvas painted in oil. This painting can be seen in the Museo Reina Sofía in Madrid.
Interpretations of Guernica vary widely and contradict one another. This extends, for example, to the mural's two dominant elements: the bull and the horse. Art historian Patricia Failing said, "The bull and the horse are important characters in Spanish culture. Picasso himself certainly used these characters to play many different roles over time. This has made the task of interpreting the specific meaning of the bull and the horse very tough. Their relationship is a kind of ballet that was conceived in a variety of ways throughout Picasso's career."
Some critics warn against trusting the polital message in Guernica. For instance the rampaging bull, a major motif of destruction here, has previous figured, whether as a bull or Minotaur, as Picasso' ego. However, in this instance the bull probably represents the onslaught of Fascism. Picasso said it meant brutality and darkness, presumably reminiscent of his prophetic. He also stated that the horse represented the people of Guernica.
After watching ART 21: Protest
http://www.pbs.org/art21/watch-now/episode-protest
What do you want to protest?
Choose an issue you care deeply about, and would want to try and do something about. This issue should be something that is a general issue or concern in society somewhere in the world. Be sure you are picking a general issue, not simply one of your pet peeves! Some ideas of things you might be interested in depicting/standing up for or against: pollution/environmental concerns, abortion rights, pro-life, racism, big government, homelessness, AIDS, Creationism vs Evolution, religious wars, the war in Iraq, poverty, verbal abuse, bullying, depression, teen suicide, discrimination, gay rights…What do you CARE about? Talk to people- has anyone in your family been affected by any of these? How?
Why? How did it affect them?
1. Spend your Internet time researching the issue you have chosen to speak out about. Keep your sketchbook next to you, and jot down quotes or words that jump out at you or speak to you. Use any images you may see to sketch out some ‘thumbnail sketches.’ Be sure to document the sites you visit. Your sketchbook should be a visual record of the research and documentation that you have done.
2. Sketch Idea.
3. Make art
4. Written Assignment:
Write about your artwork. Answer a number of these questions in your writing. What are some other questions that come to mind? Why
do you feel the way you do? What are your arguments for or against? What – or who – has influenced your decisions. What is the “flip side” of your issue? What might the other side have to say? Can you see their point of view? What is your reasoning for choosing your stand? Is your artwork intended to offend? Who would be offended? Does the artist have a right to offend? Critique your project. Does it get your point across? How? Is there a focal point (center of interest)? Does it show effective use of Principles of Design? How?
Why? How did it affect them?
1. Spend your Internet time researching the issue you have chosen to speak out about. Keep your sketchbook next to you, and jot down quotes or words that jump out at you or speak to you. Use any images you may see to sketch out some ‘thumbnail sketches.’ Be sure to document the sites you visit. Your sketchbook should be a visual record of the research and documentation that you have done.
2. Sketch Idea.
3. Make art
4. Written Assignment:
Write about your artwork. Answer a number of these questions in your writing. What are some other questions that come to mind? Why
do you feel the way you do? What are your arguments for or against? What – or who – has influenced your decisions. What is the “flip side” of your issue? What might the other side have to say? Can you see their point of view? What is your reasoning for choosing your stand? Is your artwork intended to offend? Who would be offended? Does the artist have a right to offend? Critique your project. Does it get your point across? How? Is there a focal point (center of interest)? Does it show effective use of Principles of Design? How?