Art as a Political Statement

 

In our first lesson, we looked at 5 different images in depth, and analysed all of them as a class, each bringing our own unique ideas forwards to open our minds as to what each stimulus could be suggesting through the form of art. 
Of course, every image could have had multiple different meanings and were easily interpreted in a range of alternative ways, but for each image, there would most likely be a common theme we all agreed on. 

For example, in my group, we were given the 5th stimulus, displayed below, and we mutually believed that it presented feelings of animalistic behaviour, either by choice or because the person on the floor was being displayed perhaps in a museum, just like an animal would be in captive in a zoo. 

As a matter of fact, the photo was actually about protesting cultural institutions for taking money from companies that have connections to unethical/immoral behaviours. 

We then worked in small groups to create a small movement phrase using this stimulus.

We chose to use manipulation and have one dancer on the floor, therefore, using levels to represent the immoral hierarchy that we had over the other person.

Personally, I did enjoy this task however I found it difficult to pinpoint analytically what the stimulus could have been representing at first. The more we discussed in a group the easier it became, so I think it's very important everyone presents any ideas or thoughts just so there are more interpretations available to work with.                                                                      (Scaife, A . 2011)

I enjoyed working in a group, when you are discussing and listening to each other's ideas I find it is a really positive collaborative atmosphere, the only difficulty I think we may face when we are put into groups is not being clear enough on thoughts, plans, and ideas, leading to possible misunderstandings. I also think we really want to achieve a group atmosphere where everyone can feel listened to so we equally take part in the process.

Bibliography 

(Scaife, A (2011) Liberate Tate at Tate Britain – Human Cost. Available at: https://www.amyscaife.co.uk/2011/liberate-tate-at-tate-britain/ (Accessed: 29/09/22)