Art Dissent

These images comment on a range of topics, from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the role advertising plays in American life; from Third World sweatshops to animal rights and the genetic modification of food. Look closely and you’ll see that the artists use a variety of techniques to convey their messages. Some try to grab your attention by playing on familiar ads and logos; others use provocative images to force you to confront an issue head on. For example, the artist known as Emek created “R.I.b.P.” (see No. 5) after last spring’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He describes his piece this way: “First you see the biggest image—a dead fish with a gas mask—then you see the symbol of BP, then you connect it with the wordplay.” He says the dead fish is meant to symbolize the oil spill’s disastrous effects on both the environment and on the livelihoods of Gulf fishermen. Emek adds that he hopes people who see his poster will “remember that our world is fragile and connected.” Don’t be surprised if many of the pieces here blatantly criticize big corporations or American policies or politicians; the people and institutions that hold the greatest power have traditionally been the prime targets of criticism. And while you may agree with some artists’ views, others may upset or even offend you.

The purpose of these images is to provoke a reaction.

1. What is the event or issue that inspired the picture?

2. List the people and/or objects in the picture.

3. Identify the specific artistic techniques used in the picture (i.e., symbolism, analogy, exaggeration, labeling, and irony).

4. List three things that you might infer from the picture.

5. Explain the message of the picture.

6. What special interest groups would agree/disagree with the picture message? Why?

7. What is the artist’s point of view (for or against) about the topic portrayed in the picture? Give examples to support your interpretation.

8. Is this picture persuasive? Explain why or why not?

“The point of the posters is to make you laugh, make you cry, or make you angry,” she says. “But basically, it’s to get you to start thinking about things more critically.”

1. Nuclear Emergency

An allusion to Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s famous “The Scream” series, this poster is particularly timely after Japan’s nuclear accident in March. MALGORZATA BEDOWSKA, POLAND, 2009 

2. Nike Victim

The creator of this piece—part of a series called “Fashion Victims” —says it’s a comment on both our obsession with designer labels and the horrible labor conditions in some Third World factories, where many of our clothes are made.

M. ZARGARINEJAD, GERMANY, 1999

3. Unable

The United Nations has been controversial since its founding in 1945. The artist uses a helpless turtle to symbolize what he sees as an often equally helpless U.N.  YOSSI LEMEL, ISRAEL, 1995

4. Crude Reality

A double-amputee soldier sits on a stool that looks like oil derricks. The artists say it’s a statement about the wars the U.S. and Britain have been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  RON DONOVAN, CHUCK SPERRY, AND SAM NEWBURY, U.K., 2008

5. R.I.bP.

This poster was created after last spring’s disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  EMEK, U.S., 2010

6. GMO Food

The lemon sprouting hair is a comment on the genetic modification of food. The artist used an unpleasant image to warn against the unknown consequences of messing with Mother Nature. JAREK BUJNY, POLAND, 2004

7. Cancer Sticks

The makers of this parody of Camel cigarettes packaging were criticizing tobacco and advertising companies that collaborate to sell such lethal products. Strict restrictions on tobacco advertising have since been imposed by the federal government. COMMUNITY PRINTERS, U.S., 1992

8. Dead Animal Combo Meal

This mock ad was created by Friends of Animals, a group that works to raise awareness of the inhumane treatment of animals. FRIENDS OF ANIMALS, U.S., 2000

9. She’s Got Your Eyes

The nonprofit magazine Adbusters ran this “non-ad” as part of its “Turn Off Your TV Week” campaign. It’s a statement about how we’re raised from infancy by television. ADBUSTERS, CANADA, 2007

10. Uncle Bin Wants You

This parody of the Uncle Sam poster using the image of Osama bin Laden connects America’s dependence on oil from the Middle East to the fact that some of the money we pay for that oil ends up funding terrorism.  DAVID FARNSWORTH, U.S., 2002

11. Children at War

Variations on road signs, like this one created for Amnesty International, are frequently used in protest images because they’re universally understood. WOODY PIRTLE AND CHRIS DUNN/ PENTAGRAM, U.S., 1999

12. Starvebucks

A high school art teacher in California created this piece. He thinks Starbucks underpays coffee farmers and can afford to pay more. ERIC LINDROTH, U.S., 2006

13. Off/On Imperialism

The artist suggests that regardless of who’s President, the U.S. still tries to impose its will overseas.

LEON KUHN, U.K., 2008

14. Party Animals

A playful protest against what the artist sees as the limited choices offered by America’s two-party system. THOMAS POROSTOCKY, U.S., 2004

Art Dissent presentation

http://bit.ly/artdissent  It is a large file that takes time to open.