#art, Art As Political Propaganda…

Let me start by saying that art as political propaganda has been used always. We can trace it back to ancient Egypt when they made art to glorify the pharaohs or their religious leaders or even gods. From there it traversed the centuries. Our most recent examples are from Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union…

Well it is art, although not of the best quality. However some of the designers of these posters are very well trained in art techniques as well as guided by professional psychologists and other sociologists that know exactly how to reach the coveted masses.

The art techniques are mostly symbolism, (flags, patriotic images, mythological figures and heroic poses). The work is done quite simple without any distractions from the intended message, usually with much repetition to ensure that the image gets fully ingrained in the viewers head. They usually depict leaders as heroes or doing heroic things which will tend to evoke pride, fear, nostalgia or even outrage.

Now, in this day and age, governments do not only use posters, or memes, they utilise movies, television shows, songs, and even fashion. Not to mention the influencers. Through the dissemination of internet propaganda governments have tried to blur the lines between real art and art as propaganda.

Since so many of the images created as propaganda can cause a negative reaction, I wonder, can beauty have negative effects? Or can beauty hide a nefarious cause, belief or action? Propaganda, after all, is mostly preaching to the choir. Those on the other side of the agenda they are pushing see it for what it is and will not engage with it. However, it is still a powerful motivator that can set the stage for many activities and even cause violent reactions that can not even be controlled by their own originators.

In my opinion, I am not motivated or even interested in art as political propaganda. Not for the political positions I favour or the ones I oppose. I see it as a vile form of manipulation and an imposition on the lives of the people.

What do you think?

Here are some famous posters…

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* NOTA BENE

The featured image of this post is my rendition, as digital-art, of Ernesto «Ché» Guevara drinking the blood of the more than 600 people he assassinated in Communist Cuba. He was a murderer, not a freedom fighter. He was a thug, not a doctor. The truth about this «supposed» heroic guerrilla fighter is that he was filthy, vile, murderous and a resounding failure)

CHEERS