Political Dissent Through Street Art
For the past couple of years, Oaxaca, Mexico has been the center of a dissent-driven street art movement that has arisen from local political unrest. A group of artists, all members of the art group "Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca" (ASARO), has been illegally pasting politically-charged screen prints on the walls of Oaxaca City. ASARO first emerged in 2006, after Oaxacan teachers went on strike to demand better education in their poverty-stricken city. The teachers were attacked by police, resulting in the death of at least 17 people. In support of the teachers, ASARO was founded. Ever since, the group have been creating street art as a way of voicing their opinions of their government.
The street art produced by ASARO is an essential form of resistance for the people of Oaxaca. The group's objective, according to Mario Guzman, an ASARO artist, is to retaliate against the lies and pretenses spread by the Oaxacan state government, which often stifles disagreement or dissent in a violent manner. Chapo, another artist from ASARO, explains how art is "an instrument to support the struggles of our people" and "an instrument that opens discussion or analysis of problems that are developing in our environment." (Click here to view the source.)
Can you think of any examples of an individual dissenting through art in America? This could be street art, art that is in a gallery, music, theatre, etc. How can dissent through street art create bridges between people? Borders? Look through some of the photos of Oaxacan street art below and pick one photo that interests you. What do you think the artist might be trying to say?
Click on the links below to see some examples of Oaxacan street art:
Shop front of Taller Siqueiros
The Scream
Oaxaca Poster
10 Años ASARO
Law of Internal Insecurity
The first "art" clearly giving an example of dissent is the photo shoot published by celebrity Kathy Griffin. The photo depicted her, holding a rather gory resemblance of President Trump's head. It created a massive controversy, having old friends turn on her, and resulting in certain people of the public actually despising her for speaking out. Though is caused this, it also made people support her because they agreed with her statement, not necessarily to hurt the president, but they don't think too fondly of him.
ReplyDeleteInteresting example, Emma. Can you give is a link with some images?
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