Art as Political Tool

During the 1970’s Argentinian dictatorship – the “dirty war” – the abuelas del plaza de mayo protested the government’s kidnapings by taking to the streets armed with classical modernist paintings. The modernist Argentine paintings mimicked the hopes of the resistance. This course will explore how art has been a means of resistance in the face of political crisis. Readings and artistic movements that use art as a political tool will be discussed in class. Throughout the course of the class students will collectively sketch, write, photograph (etc.) unrealized artistic projects that could use art as a political tool or mechanism. These unrealized proposals will be printed in a small collective book. Included: $20 for materials