Art & Activism

This interdisciplinary studio course explored contemporary art concerned with social activism.  Activism can be described as an intentional act to bring about awareness and change.  Art can be used to educate, protest, intervene, or create awareness.  Politics, the environment, gender, feminism and other social issues are a few of the topics were addressed throughout the course.   I asked students to use art as a platform for communicating social and political concerns.   Projects were interdisciplinary in nature and students were encouraged to use any form of media that relates to their specific interests.  However, we primarily focused on artists that utilize photography, video, and performance in their own art practice.  This course was designed to give students an opportunity to use activist and interventionist strategies in their own art making, and to consider the efficacy of this type of work.