JaZzArt en València

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

Y lo estamos viendo… porque malas coordinaciones también terminan en caos…

Well, let us start by saying she worked for the San Francisco Chronicler starting in 1915 and by 1918 she was one of the few female staff photographers for that newspaper. She was born in 1894 in Astoria, Oregon. She certainly was an artistic pioneer blending technical mastery with empathy for her subjects. She humanised the ones who were cast aside as marginal communities, treating all with dignity and respect. As a photographer she tried always to capture the «spirit» of those she photographed. Kanaga died in 1978 with few negatives in her modest archive.

Once you see how she tried to bridge the gap between peoples, recognising and celebrating differences without fear, but with respect, you will understand why she, along with other similar minded artists, are very important today and to Art History. Artists should always work for the common good, not for recognition or benefits. Yes, we work for money, as do you and everybody else that is not totally rich, but we must make sure to elevate good values and the principle one is love. Like John Lennon said: «All You Need Is Love» (Love is all you need).

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CHEERS

Sabemos que todos los años hay fuegos forestales en muchos países de Europa y del resto del mundo, pero como este 2025 creo que jamás. En Europa han ardido mas de 400.000 hectáreas incluyendo parques naturales y pueblos. Y yo me pregunto, ¿Qué está pasando? Esto no puede ser por causas naturales. No creo, ni por un instante, que estos fuegos son porque ha caído un rayo en el bosque. Y si eso es lo que dice el gobierno español entonces están tratando de engañar a los bobos. Estoy seguro que muchos de estos fuegos son provocados por canallas y sinvergüenzas (que a lo mejor forman una cadena internacional) que están prendiéndole fuego a todas las areas verdes que veneramos y necesitamos para que estar en armonía con la naturaleza. Y ya que han habido muertos, los culpables tienen que ser acusados de asesinato.

Yo se que muchos fuegos son causados por la ignorancia y la mala educación de la gente que con sus imprudencias ponen en peligro a los montes, a los pueblos cercanos y a la población. Esto lo estamos viendo en España donde la Guardia Civil ya ha detenido a diez sospechosos y está investigando unos treinta y ocho más. Hay unos sujetos que ya han confesado y también han cogido a otros que quiza no intentaban crear un fuego pero por hacer cosas imprudentes y estúpidas fuegos si causaron. Además, el gobierno «socialista» de España, a socorrer llegó tarde, como siempre, y esperó que media España ardiera antes de solicitar ayuda a la Unión Europea.

Una vez más nuestro pueblo dio el paso al frente, voluntarios, peones y lugareños, juntos a los bomberos locales, fueron los primeros en combatir las feroces llamas, jugándose la vida y algunos, lamentablemente cayeron. Mientras tanto, el presidente del gobierno sin hacer nada, quizá estaba esperando, como hizo cuando morían cientos de valencianos, a que le pidieran el agua por señas. ¡Qué barbaridad!

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We know that every year there are wildfires in many countries in Europe and around the world, but not like this in 2025, I believe. In Europe, over 400,000 hectares have burned, including natural parks and small towns. And I wonder, what is happening? This cannot be due to natural causes. I do not believe, even for a moment, that these fires are caused by a lightning strike in the forest. I am sure many of these fires are started by evil minded individuals who are setting fire to all the green areas that we cherish and need to be in harmony with nature. And if the government is saying something different they are lying.

I know that many fires are caused by the ignorance and lack of education of people who, with their recklessness, endanger the forests, nearby towns, and the population. We are witnessing this in Spain where the Civil Guard has already arrested ten suspects and is investigating around thirty-eight more. There are individuals who have already confessed, and they have also apprehended others who perhaps did not intend to start a fire but ended up causing fires due to reckless and foolish actions. Furthermore, the «socialist» government of Spain arrived late to provide assistance, as always, and waited for half of Spain to burn before requesting help from the European Union.

Once again, our people stepped forward; volunteers, laborers, and locals, alongside the local firefighters, were the first to combat the fierce flames, risking their lives, and some, unfortunately, fell. Meanwhile, the president of the government did nothing; perhaps he was waiting, as he did when hundreds of Valencians were dying, for them to signal him for water. What a disgrace!

GRACIAS – CHEERS

El 9 de octubre, Dios mediante, abre la nueva exposicion de Francisco Bravo Cabrera en la Sala d’Exposicions de Ciutat Vella en València. Por diez días se expondrán cuadros, dibujos y además poemas del artista. Os invitamos al museo, la entrada a la exposición es gratuita.

Mientras tanto, y hasta la fecha de la inauguración, el equipo de VALENCIARTIST/Omnia Caelum Studios Valencia estará de gira por otros lares de Dios. La nueva temporada de VALENCIARTIST blog comenzará en noviembre con nuevos artículos. Os esperamos.

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On October 9th, God willing, the new exhibition by Francisco Bravo Cabrera will open at the Sala d’Exposicions in Ciutat Vella, Valencia. For ten days, paintings, drawings, and also poems by the artist will be showcased. We invite you to the museum, and admission to the exhibition is free.

Meanwhile, and until the date of the inauguration, the team from VALENCIARTIST/Omnia Caelum Studios Valencia will be touring other parts of the world. The new season of the VALENCIARTIST blog will begin in November with new articles. We look forward to seeing you.

GRACIAS – CHEERS

“The only difference between the sunrise and the sunsets is where you stand and where you’re mind is at” (Francisco Bravo Cabrera)

Well, let us start by saying she worked for the San Francisco Chronicler starting in 1915 and by 1918 she was one of the few female staff photographers for that newspaper. She was born in 1894 in Astoria, Oregon. She certainly was an artistic pioneer blending technical mastery with empathy for her subjects. She humanised the ones who were cast aside as marginal communities, treating all with dignity and respect. As a photographer she tried always to capture the «spirit» of those she photographed. Kanaga died in 1978 with few negatives in her modest archive.

Once you see how she tried to bridge the gap between peoples, recognising and celebrating differences without fear, but with respect, you will understand why she, along with other similar minded artists, are very important today and to Art History. Artists should always work for the common good, not for recognition or benefits. Yes, we work for money, as do you and everybody else that is not totally rich, but we must make sure to elevate good values and the principle one is love. Like John Lennon said: «All You Need Is Love» (Love is all you need).

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CHEERS