Art is resistance
Last Saturday i was walking around, visiting Apocalypse (SLurl). I love that region, but, as part of Midian City, normally is really laggy. A Saturday morning (European time) is a good moment to visit it.
Walking around i saw this sign:
It speaks about Art as resistance, as a form of fight against the power… really interesting concepts for me.
I really think Art is resistance (of course, is not only resistance), Art should be used to express all parts of the human mind (and soul), from the sense of beauty to memories, from politics to faith. The first thing that any dictatorship attack is the freedom of expression… that should mean Art has to resist that, to fight against that.
Let’s talk now about Art into Second Life… is it Resistance? Well, it may be. One line of the sign says: “Art is action without violence”, so griefers are not artists (even they can be, i presume it will depend on the originality of the concept and in the execution of the action itself). Some interesting images and creations appeared to protest against the limitations about contents in SL5B, that was resistance. Anyway, not only Linden Lab actions deserve that actions, i see often in SL creative ways to fight about RL issues, but, sadly every action has a reaction.
Some time ago, in a conversation with Arahan Claveau, we were talking about the reactions that caused one of his works (well, most of Arahan’s works cause reaction). Someone “protested” because considered Arahan’s installation political arguing that art shouldn’t be political (Arahan, if you read this and i’m wrong or missed a part, please correct me). That’s one of the most stupid affirmations i ever heard. Art SHOULD be political, Art should be a reaction.
I’m nobody to say people what they should do, i just can tell it to myself (and even that way i don’t listen myself sometimes), but is easy to feel most of the so-called SLart is empty. No message, no action, no expression, just some beautiful, or not so beautiful effects. Don’t misunderstand me, i like beautiful pictures or sculptures that don’t have other intention that being beautiful, is just i miss some more meaning content in SLart, some more action… Anyway, there are some SLcreators i really enjoy, in Flickr or in-world, because i find their creations sometimes full of meaning, full of fun, full of passion and beauty.
7 Responses to “Art is resistance”
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You may be right, but theres certainly nothing beautiful about that typographical disaster of a sign.
In any case, i think you probably overstate the case. Beauty is not empty. Resistance is rarely beautiful. Art doesn’t have to be either, or neither, or any combination of the above. Eye of the beholder and all that.
As a protest, art is fairly ineffectual. As inspiration, it is practically unbeatable.
Carry on soldier.
Thanks for dressing appropriately when visiting Midian! Most visitors don’t, and it sort of spoils the roleplay a little.
@ Kabaka: Thanks for your comment and sharing your point of view.
Of course, things are not so simple and we all have a different vision of what is art, or what is art for. I don’t think beauty is empty, just would like to see more than beauty in SLart, more than glam shots, specially in SLphotography.
Trying to write a post about anything will mean possibly is not possible to express your full opinion about something, just a vision, an angle. That’s why i like comments, so everyone who wants can express his point of view.
@ October: Thanks, Tober, you know i don’t RP, but i think if you visit a RP area in SL you should, at least, try to respect that roleplay and the ones participating in it.
I think Kabaka misinterpreted what you were saying Raul. I think Art as a protest/resistance is very effectual, I think all Art is effectual on some level. Kabaka said “that typographical disaster of a sign” …the sign in the photograph? Wow, the sign in the photograph is powerful!
Mahalo to you Raul for writing this article. I really enjoyed it, very interesting.
Aloha
Thanks for your comment, Sahoni. Personally i find that sign powerful too, and why not, beautiful. Maybe is just beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as Kabaka says.
Hey Raul,
Decorative or corporate art dominates SL and it can be extremely uninspiring. I believe art can be political and I know from experience that it often acts as a catalyst for change when used and targeted effectively.
This review of my work ‘Injustice’ by artist and critic Amy Wilson (Amy Freelunch in SL) is of relevance to this discussion – http://brooklyniswatching.com/2008/06/23/injustice-2008-by-arahan-claveau
-Arahan-
Thanks for sharing, Arahan, and as my post says i have a point of view next to yours.
That review is really a good contribution to this post.