So much to say about this topic, as an artist/activist myself.
I'll just share 2 little bits.
1. From the book "But is it Art? The Spirit of Art as Activism" Edited by Nina Felshin. In Chapter 9: Making Art, Reclaiming Lives: The Artist and Homeless Collaborative (A&HC) Andrea Wolper writes/says:
"If, as I believe, all human beings are born with the ability to sing, dance, and make art, the A&HC may help to reawaken what our repressive, violent world most often puts into a state of dormancy."
- Art is a tool for change.
and
2. From the book: "Between Security and Insecurity" by Ivan Klima (a Czech writer). In Chapter 8: The Abdication of Art, Ivan writes about being 10 years old in a Nazi concentration camp. He remembers having a novel that he read over and over again, entering that world, away from daily life. He also recalls that at one point in another barrack, an opera was being put on with no costumes nor orchestra, but that space at the camp was transformed even for those dark moments. This "Opera-Art" was saving lives.
As Audre Lorde says: "Art is a necessity."
May we go forward with all of our poets, singers, painters, builders in hand; for we must build this truely violent but beautiful world together.
So much to say about this topic, as an artist/activist myself.
I'll just share 2 little bits.
1. From the book "But is it Art? The Spirit of Art as Activism" Edited by Nina Felshin. In Chapter 9: Making Art, Reclaiming Lives: The Artist and Homeless Collaborative (A&HC) Andrea Wolper writes/says:
"If, as I believe, all human beings are born with the ability to sing, dance, and make art, the A&HC may help to reawaken what our repressive, violent world most often puts into a state of dormancy."
- Art is a tool for change.
and
2. From the book: "Between Security and Insecurity" by Ivan Klima (a Czech writer). In Chapter 8: The Abdication of Art, Ivan writes about being 10 years old in a Nazi concentration camp. He remembers having a novel that he read over and over again, entering that world, away from daily life. He also recalls that at one point in another barrack, an opera was being put on with no costumes nor orchestra, but that space at the camp was transformed even for those dark moments. This "Opera-Art" was saving lives.
As Audre Lorde says: "Art is a necessity."
May we go forward with all of our poets, singers, painters, builders in hand; for we must build this truely violent but beautiful world together.