Art with a Message: Social Justice and Art

Introduction

Have you ever seen a problem in the world,

But couldn’t find the words to say something?

 If so then you might be on the brink of becoming a social justice artist!

For centuries artist have been making huge changes in the world by creating art that focus on the controversial topics of their time. From Picasso’s Guernica to Banksy’s  Girl with Balloons artist of every century have been putting their opinions about the problems of the world into visual images with hard messages.

All you need is a problem…. A passion…. and ART SUPPLIES!

Task

What you will be doing today is considering the world of social justice art in preparation for your social commentary collage. 

First you will choose 3 of the artist from the list of 15 and read the attached article or watching the video on that artist’s artwork.

From that article you will be filling out the work sheet, a total of 3 worksheets, one for each artist.

Once you have completed those steps you will begin to brainstorm about the controversial topics that you can address in your own art work.

Process

STEP 1: VOCABULARY

For this section, you will go to www.dictionary.com (link on web quest) and find definitions for the words in your packet.

STEP 2: ART AND ARTISTS

Next thing you will do is choose three artist from the list bellow, for each artist there is an article of video about that artist and their artwork. Complete the three worksheets that are part of your packet. One worksheet for each artist you choose.

  1. Ai Weiwei:http://www.theartstory.org/artist-ai-weiwei.htm
  2. Banksy: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/books/banksy-the-man-behind-the-wall-by-will-ellsworth-jones.html
  3. Barbra Kruiger:http://www.theartstory.org/artist-kruger-barbara-artworks.htm#pnt_2
  4. Diego Riverahttp://www.theartstory.org/artist-rivera-diego.htm
  5.  Fred Tomaselli:http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/fred-tomaselli//16
  6. Imran Qureshi:http://herald.dawn.com/news/1153724
  7. Joshua Allen Harris:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082169/Joshua-Allen-Harris-Street-artist-turns-trash-bags-inflatable-animal-sculptures.html
  8. Pablo Picasso:http://www.theartstory.org/artist-picasso-pablo.htm
  9. Robbie Conal: https://www.linktv.org/shows/artbound/robbie-conal-street-art
  10. Shepard Fairey: http://www.thedailybeast.com/shepard-fairey-how-im-taking-on-abuse-of-power-and-political-corruption-in-on-our-hands
  11. Steve Lambart: http://creativetimereports.org/2014/04/07/does-capitalism-work-for-you/
  12. Vic Muniz: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/arts/design/24muniz.html

STEP 3: SOCIAL ISSUE MIND MAP

For this step you will choose a social issues topic from the list provided in your packet. You will then create a mind map brainstorming about this topic. Find and research symbols used, slogans used, etc. Research statistics and other important information about the topic. 

YOUR MIND MAP MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

  1. Statistics from around the USA or the world
  2. symbols of the issue (if there are non currently what would you use?)
  3. Who does this issue affect and how?

At the bottom of your mind map, make sure you include your viewpoint, and what you want to tell the world with you collage.

 

Conclusion

Now that you have looked at the works of other artists, chosen and researched a social issue topic, and formed your own opinion and view point