Activist Artists

For many years people have used activism to try and change/ direct changes whether it be political, for the environment, etc. Activist Artists however use their talent skills to promote their beliefs through design, making the message more powerful. This could be used in the media, advertisement, ambient, etc to help protest their cause to others and spread the message in more interesting and eye catching formats.

Adrian Piper

Adrian Piper, Catalysis III, 1970.

Adrian Piper, "Catalysis III," 1970

blog.art21.org

 Adrian Piper demonstrates black rights in the 70s when racial times where difficult for the black community. Adrian's political messages are illustrating visibility and comparing black with white in a abstract manner. Adrian stands in a white jumper in a busy high street with the words ' wet paint' written in black which is prominent on the white jumper. People passing by clearly see her as she is unique and stands out from the rest, making her the focal point of the street. This activism protest is different,and bizarre but generates the required effect as it gather a lot of attention. Passers by would spread the word of what they had encountered on their way through the busy high street. The best type of publicity stunt is viral (WORD OF MOUTH).

Jenny Holzer - Biography & Art - The Art

 History Archive

arthistoryarchive.com

Jenny Holzer

This design distributes a message on a billboard, above a busy road and being presented prominently in bright lights. Here, Holzer is using  techniques that are commonly used for advertisement but replacing it with a statement. This illustrates how not everything on billboards is about selling merchandises. The phrase she has used ' PROTECT ME FROM WHAT I WANT' is in capital letters, making it blatantly eye catching to the public, again being viral. This is a clever activist piece, carefully portraying how she uses words and presents them with greater power, getting to the point! Also questioning the public, making them question themselves.