IMHO, many national and global issues have moved beyond mere politics. They've become human rights issues. One of the rights apparently in question right now is the right to life. People are BEING KILLED for no valid reason. People are DYING.
It's an artist's DUTY to humanity to shine a light on the terrible things being done. Certain humans are treating other humans in a deplorable, and at times lethal, fashion.
There's a reason totalitarian regimes hate freedom of expression and only tolerate artists who function as state propagandists. Artists allowed to express themselves freely will often challenge the lies being told by various government officials. Artists allowed to express themselves freely will often tell the truth.
Whenever the topic of art and politics comes up, I immediately think of Picasso's "Guernica", possibly the greatest anti-war painting in history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(Picasso)
It's certainly a powerful piece, and it might be Picasso's greatest achievement. Picasso certainly told a powerful truth in that work.
No comments:
Post a Comment