ARTBASE (2)
BIO
Jason Van Anden is a new media activist, artist, inventor and robot maker. His creations are exhibited internationally, receiving recognition in the art, science, technology and gaming communities. More about Jason and his work can be found at his website www.smileproject.com.
Re: opportunities abound
Joy,
Your post is worded as if we are polar opposites, or that I am dense. Maybe I am taking it too personally (The "Uh sorry" comments make me recoil a bit). I don't disagree with most of your response, in fact, I think we are saying essentially the same thing, albeit in an argumentative tone.
joy> And I forgive you for missing the point and thinking my paintings are like some sentimental expressionist Family of Man thing...
From what I know of you, we seem to have a similar worldview politically. We are pretty smart and sensitive people. We have art degrees. Even so, I apparently I missed the point of your paintings. Can you explain what should have happened that didn't? You apparently feel that this is a my fault or I would not deserve your forgiveness. How is this my fault?
If this is too personal, then let's use Leon Golub instead. Love the paintings, liked the man, but what do his paintings do besides document his anger about the injustices he so intensly portrays?
My first post here was an attempt to question Eric's rallying the art troops to stop licking their wounds, and start attacking. Bottom line - is art really the best weapon for the job?
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Your post is worded as if we are polar opposites, or that I am dense. Maybe I am taking it too personally (The "Uh sorry" comments make me recoil a bit). I don't disagree with most of your response, in fact, I think we are saying essentially the same thing, albeit in an argumentative tone.
joy> And I forgive you for missing the point and thinking my paintings are like some sentimental expressionist Family of Man thing...
From what I know of you, we seem to have a similar worldview politically. We are pretty smart and sensitive people. We have art degrees. Even so, I apparently I missed the point of your paintings. Can you explain what should have happened that didn't? You apparently feel that this is a my fault or I would not deserve your forgiveness. How is this my fault?
If this is too personal, then let's use Leon Golub instead. Love the paintings, liked the man, but what do his paintings do besides document his anger about the injustices he so intensly portrays?
My first post here was an attempt to question Eric's rallying the art troops to stop licking their wounds, and start attacking. Bottom line - is art really the best weapon for the job?
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Re: opportunities abound
Lee,
Many of my personal favorites.
To me, this list demonstrates that frustration from the political climate an artist lives in can serve as an awesome muse. Unfortunately, more often than not, the product of politically motivated fine art serves as a historical artifact of the time the artist lived in, rather than fuel for change.
I do not mean to dismiss the efforts of artists who express their feelings by making art about the times they live in. I was very touched by your drawings of every single soldier killed in combat in Iraq, as I am when I see Joy's paintings of people struggling and fighting in the world. Someday, if this country gets back on track, these works will resonate with an audience who will reflect about how far we have come since. At this moment in time though, I believe they preach to the choir. As noble an endeavor as it may be to make fine art to inspire change, more often than not I do not think it is the best suited activity to accomplish that goal.
I am not suggesting people stop making art that expresses angst about the world they live in. I just think that artists shouldn't fool themselves into believing that just because we are good at making imagery, that this is the best way we can invest our time to cause change.
Unless you are able to make art that clearly communicates a message that will compel those you are trying to convince to consider a different way, and present it somewhere they will see it (ie: Michael Moore, Deigo Rivera), we are working in a vacuum. Better to volunteer for an organization doing whatever takes (licking stamps, answering the phone, canvassing neighborhoods) and then go home and vent with your muse to help win the peace after we win the ground war.
I was suprised that you left John Lennon out of your list. A very popular artist who mostly wrote love songs, and then leveraged his celebrity into truly effective activism.
Give Peace a Chance!
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Many of my personal favorites.
To me, this list demonstrates that frustration from the political climate an artist lives in can serve as an awesome muse. Unfortunately, more often than not, the product of politically motivated fine art serves as a historical artifact of the time the artist lived in, rather than fuel for change.
I do not mean to dismiss the efforts of artists who express their feelings by making art about the times they live in. I was very touched by your drawings of every single soldier killed in combat in Iraq, as I am when I see Joy's paintings of people struggling and fighting in the world. Someday, if this country gets back on track, these works will resonate with an audience who will reflect about how far we have come since. At this moment in time though, I believe they preach to the choir. As noble an endeavor as it may be to make fine art to inspire change, more often than not I do not think it is the best suited activity to accomplish that goal.
I am not suggesting people stop making art that expresses angst about the world they live in. I just think that artists shouldn't fool themselves into believing that just because we are good at making imagery, that this is the best way we can invest our time to cause change.
Unless you are able to make art that clearly communicates a message that will compel those you are trying to convince to consider a different way, and present it somewhere they will see it (ie: Michael Moore, Deigo Rivera), we are working in a vacuum. Better to volunteer for an organization doing whatever takes (licking stamps, answering the phone, canvassing neighborhoods) and then go home and vent with your muse to help win the peace after we win the ground war.
I was suprised that you left John Lennon out of your list. A very popular artist who mostly wrote love songs, and then leveraged his celebrity into truly effective activism.
Give Peace a Chance!
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Re: opportunities abound
Eric,
Interesting concept ... any suggestions? Besides maybe Picasso's "Guernica", I cannot think of examples of fine art that accomplish much of anything when it comes to inspiring political change. Graphic art yes, but fine art?
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Interesting concept ... any suggestions? Besides maybe Picasso's "Guernica", I cannot think of examples of fine art that accomplish much of anything when it comes to inspiring political change. Graphic art yes, but fine art?
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Re: fuck Bush
Francis,
Very well said.
In Ft. Lauderdale I met professionals of all sorts doing anything that was asked of them by the ACT staffers, no questions asked, New Yorkers no less. I was amazed and touched by the selflessness I witnessed.
It seems that Bush may be a uniter not a divider after all.
I am planning to devote my time, out of state if necessary, for the mid-term elections as well. It was suggested to me by one of ACT's staffers to wait until after Thanksgiving - to see which organizations will continue their mission.
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Very well said.
In Ft. Lauderdale I met professionals of all sorts doing anything that was asked of them by the ACT staffers, no questions asked, New Yorkers no less. I was amazed and touched by the selflessness I witnessed.
It seems that Bush may be a uniter not a divider after all.
I am planning to devote my time, out of state if necessary, for the mid-term elections as well. It was suggested to me by one of ACT's staffers to wait until after Thanksgiving - to see which organizations will continue their mission.
Jason Van Anden
www.smileproject.com
Re: fuck Bush
I agree. I am at work right now, so I cannot make the icon or I would. If you wish, email me a gif that's 135 x 170, and I will.
Jason Van Anden
Jason Van Anden