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Art for Activism

The iconic red and blue image of President, then candidate, Obama was created by contemporary artist Shepard Fairey.  Fairey has spent his career making art in alleys, on stop signs, for galleries, and political events.  His website, Obey Giant, proclaims to "manufacture quality dissent" for the progressive movement.  He is anti-capitalist and pro-peace; and now, he has the respect of the President who asked him to design the official inauguration commutative poster.  The design builds on the original HOPE poster and asks us to "BE THE CHANGE." In a letter to Fairey, Obama thanked him for his unique expressions and for bringing grassroots art into his campaign. His art, his artistic mediums, and his message to our nation should inspire us to continue our work to create a better world.

Images, music, and street theater have been a major influence on the peace movement since its foundation; in part because art belongs to the people who make it and in part because war is such as destructive force it cannot be described in words. 

Emilio Amero, a Mexican artist, printed "New Order" to describe the horrors of the Nazi occupation during World War II.  The image has few colors and its simplicity adds to the drama; like Fairey's HOPE.  But, the contrast between the two is staggering.  The difference is not just the subject matter – it is a feeling.

Fundamentally, art touches our emotional core.  It makes us feel hopeful or hopeless.  At its best art, forcibly incites us to interact with it and react to the world around us.  As activists we harness that energy towards political progress.

This winter DC hosted the traveling Peace Mural, a project by the Peace Mural Foundation.  "The Peace Mural is over 800 feet in length and 8 feet tall, comprised of nearly 2000 paintings that capture highly evocative images and concepts of war and related themes, including the effects of war on women and children, veterans, refugees, torture, and displacement." 

Peace Action Montgomery County held a wonderful event at the Peace Mural in December.  Peace Action activists filled the space with music and dance before they began a funeral procession to bury militarism, torture, and the U.S. weapons trade.  Kevin Martin, our Executive Director, gave a compelling speech about our work.  He focused on our campaign to "Bring the Guard Home" from Iraq and Afghanistan.  At its core his speech asked us all to reflect on the priorities of our government and take action to change them.

Earlier this summer our Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) Coordinator, Jonathan Williams, joined Iraq Veterans Against the War and the band Rage Against the Machine for a huge concert before protesting in front of the Democratic National Convention.  The concert served to get young activists excited and informed that day; but, high profile artists like Rage serve another, bigger, purpose. 

When artists use their celebrity and talent to promote an issue it opens a dialogue on the issue for all their fans – from the most radical to the most conservative.  The Beatles and Bob Dylan inspired a nation to embrace new ideas with their music – the same is true today, for groups like Rage, Talib Kweli, and Hot Buttered Rum.

Street theater has always been a part of organized protest.  Peace Action chapters across the country dress up as nuclear war heads, war profiteers, and politicians during protests.  During the protest on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq occupation we held a "War Profiteers Award Ceremony" where we handed out "awards" in front of hundreds of onlookers.  Street theater grabs people's attention because, as an art, is compelling.  It allows people the freedom to hear a message without forcing them to confront all the gory details.  Art opens a door into the thoughts and emotions of each individual and creates space for new ideas to emerge. 

No matter how positive, negative, or neutral you feel about the Obama Presidency you have to admit it's pretty cool to have a President who openly embraces the support of an anti-capitalist street artist.  It reminds us of the transcendent power of art to overcome social and political barriers and bring people together.  As activists, it should also implore us to utilize the power of art in our work and in our lives.