After viewing the documentary, Shock Of The New, I do think that art can be subversive and have a direct impact on the world. My first thought was thinking about the posters and handouts that were created during World War I. These posters depict that going to fight for your country is the noble and right thing to do, however the posters don't show any depiction of what the war will be like and the hell that these men will experience. These posters also have another indirect impact on the women because as we all know when the men left to go to war the women took over the jobs working in the factories. These posters create a sense of stability and happiness back home for the women. When I think about it more and more the posters pertaining to the war are created not to inform people about the horrors and all the people dying in the war, but to make it seem like the war is a good thing and families will be waiting for their sons, and husbands to return home safe and sound.
With that being said art does have a direct impact on the people that view it, especially if people are constantly seeing it day after day. If the posters were to have a different picture, say a graphic of all the dead soldiers, or families devastated by the loss of a loved one, then the perspectives and attitudes about the war would change drastically. The atmosphere would also change because families would be anxious and worried about their loved ones surviving the war.
This is the first time I have ever been introduced to Dada and I am very interested in his works because he is so untraditional compared to other writer's works I have read. I would say Dada was not a follower, rather he was his own leader and instead of doing works like other artists, he created his own works which reflected his anti war views, as well as his avant-garde and graphic design talent. Dada is a inspirational artist because of his creative and unique style of writing and art.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteGood points about the nature of propaganda: the "truth" of the imagery on the poster depends on the purpose of the propaganda. For the Dadaists, making war look heroic was insane and immoral. That is why they tried to undermine rational communication itself.
With the "women at home" comment, you might be confusing WWI and WWII. While you are correct about war's lasting effects on everyone, the big "Rosie the Riveter" movement was the WWII. But still, your point is a good one.
And be clear: "DADA" is not one artist or writer. It is a movement (as was Surrealism) that encompasses many artists, writers, actors, cinema directors... and has a huge influence beyond that on people who weren't actually "in the group."