Art in Service of Politics

Cyd Cowley
Uncle Sam

Artist: James Montgomery Flagg.

Born: June 18^th 1877 Pelham Manor, New York, USA.

Died: May 27^th 1960 New York, USA

Media: Poster

Genre: Portrait

James Montgomery Flagg

 

The main idea: The main idea of this piece of art is to motivate the American people to join the army. It was created by James Montgomery Flagg, but it was the American government who wanted to publish it during world war one and two so that they would inspire more adults to apply for the army. This meant that the US would not have a shortage of patriots. In the picture is an old man known as Uncle Sam who looks like he is staring right at the viewer to urge them to join the army.

Inspirations: James had many inspirations while creating the world renowned “Uncle Sam” painting. One of his largest inspirations and the base of his poster was the Lord Kitchener Poster used to inspire British people to join the army three years earlier. One other big influence for James was himself, as he used his own face as

Elements and Principles of art: I think that James used many elements of art to emphasize his poster and inspire people to join the army. The first artistic element that I found emphasized the idea was color. Uncle Sam is dressed only in clothes of the colors red white and blue, which resemble the American flag. This made him look more patriotic and most likely made the viewers want to be more patriotic by joining the army. I think that James also paid a lot of attention to the facial details and expression of Uncle Sam himself. For me the man in the poster was made in such a way that he looked like he was looking straight at me like I was supposed to join the army because of his expression and face.

Two art pieces by the same artist:

Similarities:

-Both posters are about inspiring people to help the US win the war

-Both posters show Uncle Sam In a patriotic costume

-Both are by the same artist

Differences:

-          The left poster is directed at children while the right is directed at adults

-          The uncle Sam on the left poster seems more forgiving than the right

-          The poster on the right has brighter and bolder colors than the left

-          The poster on the left encourages people to buy stamps while the one on the right encourages people to join the army

-          In the right poster there is only one figure while on the left there are three people

Two art pieces by different artists:

Similarities:

-Both of the posters are supposed to inspire people to join the army

-Both figures have the same expression and are pointing in the same way

-Both posters have the same “I want you” text

-Both posters encourage patriotism

Differences:

-The two posters are made by different artists

- The poster on the left was for Brittan and the poster on the right is meant for the U.S

- The poster on the left has no color while the poster on the right has bold colours.

Sources:

"File:James Montgomery Flagg (1).jpg." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web.17

Jan. 2012..

"James Montgomery Flagg." Publishing.Web. 17 Jan. 2012.

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"Uncle Sam."  The Civil War.Web. 17 Jan. 2012.

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Elisabeth Gedevanishvili

Picture shown above is an artwork by Shepard Fairy, showing Barrack Obama Before the elections of 2008. Frank Shepard Fairy is a contemporary American graphic designer and illustrator. He first was recognized for his work “André Giant Has a Posse” but he is best known for his Barack Obama “Hope” poster, which was designed in 2008 for the United States presidential elections. Fairy is one of the popular and best street artists of today, his works are displayed in galleries and museums all over the world: in New York “Museum of Modern Art”, National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C., Victoria and Albert Museum in London etc.

            In 2008 Fairy created the series of posters to support Barack Obama’s candidacy, including the Hope poster. Other two from this series were the same poster with words “change”, “progress” and “vote” written on them instead of "hope". Poster soon after its first appearance in public was claimed to be “illegally perpetuated”.  Despite all the rumors about the poster, it (the hope poster) was claimed to be “the most efficacious American political illustration since “Uncle Sam Wants You”” (Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker).

            The genre of this poster is portrait, portrait of Barack Obama. In his eyes you can see hope, the word written at the bottom of the poster. The main idea of the artwork is to express that Barrack Obama is the future of the United States of America and that he gives the citizens of this country hope for the better future. This feeling is very strongly shown in Obama’s expression, the way he is looking into the future. Three colors which are birght: red, yellow and blue make artwork even more recognizable between other posters which were created for promoting Obama. Colors also create contrast between each other, this gives the poster dynamics and highlights the idea of hope. Artwork also has a word “HOPE” written at the bottom of a poster. As we know words are powerful and using them in any form of art, gives more strength and also highlights the main idea of a product- in this case poster. Fairy’s poster is created in Pop are style, a movement that emerged in Britain and became popular in the United States in the late 1950s. In this style art is directed towards the mass, in advertisements, commercials, politics… works done in this genre  are practical and have specific purposes (to show something, offer) rather than for entertaining like, paintings in impressionism.  Barrack Obama’s poster follows Andy Warhol’s  style based on photographs and changed colors.

Photo of Marlin Monroe by Andy Warhol

In the hope poster Shepard fairy uses polygraphy to support the main idea. Polygraphy is common style for American voters, where they feel comfortable and it is easier for them apprehend the artwork.

            The poster was used in Barrack Obamas political campaign, which means that politicians  used piece of art to gain more voters. Art was used for political propaganda and it turned out very successfully. After becoming USA’s president Obama even sent Fairy a letter of thanks for his contribution to the campaign. In it Obama thanked Fairy for using his talent to support Obama’s campaign: “The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can change the status-quo. Your images have a profound effect on people. I am privileged to be a part of your artwork and proud to have your support”.

            Another poster which was designed by Shepard Fairy for 2008 elections was “Rock The Vote”.

This poster was dedicated to the non-profit organization in USA with the purpose to engage young citizens in politics and incite them to vote in every election.  This poster is similar to the hope poster because it was created for the political use, for promoting elections. In both posters colors are similar. Red and blue , colors which are used in the flag of the US. And give posters a patriotic look. In the second poster the microphone symbolizes the voters’ power, and how one vote can change the future of the country. Polygraphy is also used in the second poster which gives more strength to it. If the first poster “tells us” that Barrack Obama is the right person to be USA’s next president because he gives us hope, “Rock The Vote” carries the message that Democracy is the best structure of government, everyone should take part in the elections and that 1 vote  means everything. 

            In the world of Politics you can find many pictures with the same purpose as the Obama’s poster for example Jim Fitzpatrick’s version Che Guevara’s portrait which was based on a photograph taken by Alberto Korda. Ernesto “Che” Guevara  was a revolutionary who played major role in Cuban revolution. In his eyes Cuban people saw hope and their future. Fitzpatrick an Irish artist used this idea to create an iconic picture of Che, like Fairy he used three major colors: black, white and the most important: red which makes artwork catchy and easy to remember. Both Obama and Che Guevara have same facial expression except that Che Guevara is looking to the left and Obama is looking to the right.

            After researching this information I have realized that art is widely used for political propaganda, throughout the world. In well developed countries like The United States of America or in the less developed countries like Cuba. The facial expression of hope, change and progress is also very popular between the artists who create posters for supporting one or another political leader.

Art in politics                       Sandra Kalandarishvili

There are lot of paintings and drawing that are drawn in political genre. People, but mostly leaders like presidents or vice presidents are making their posters to show people that they are very powerful and that everyone must follow them. In past times George Washington hired Gilbert Stuart to paint his portrait, he did this because he was the first president of the United States and he wanted everyone to follow him. Stuart used dark colors for the background and more light colors to draw a “person” itself. He also used a strict look to show the power of the government and strength of the president. The idea of this portrait was to show people that George Washington was a leader and everyone should follow him. Let move on to present life. The same thing did present president of the United States – Barak Obama. He made a poster of himself titled HOPE. So this poster said that there is a huge progress in the United States.

Not only political leaders do this kind of things. Scientists, artists, musicians and other people hire artists to draw or take a good picture of them. But they have different goal. Musicians for example don’t want to show power or strength in the portrait, they want people to know them and listen to their music.

Scientists want people to know their creation and new things that they discover. Everyone have different goal. This is just art and it plays a huge role in our life.


Elene Glonti

Pablo Picasso – Guernica

 Picture shown above  is an art work called Guernica painted by one of the greatest artists of all  times -Pablo Picasso, his full name was Pablo Diego José Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno María de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santísima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso , Picasso was Spanish born in Malaga . He is considered to be one of the 20^Th century’s most dominant, authoritative and leading creator, he was the great instiller of the art inclination called cubism, Picasso is known for using broad amount of different styles and inclinations in which he made many changes and helped them cultivate and prosper.

            For one of his most famous art masterpiece is considered to be Guernica , which is created in  1937  in the middle of the Spanish civil war, it`s intention was to  awake the world and make the concentrate on the Basque city which was attacked  by the German destroyers . it is on the oil canvas , in black and white colors and with its symbolism it clearly shows the suffering and disaster of the war which touches the lives of innocent people which live in the city, this masterpiece became the most popular art work which is the reminder of the disasters of war. Nowadays the painting is placed in Spain Museum of Reina Sofia, first this painting was first presented in spain at the same age when it was painted and lately it was exhibited all over the world. It may be considered as the symbol of Spanish civil war. Guernica demonstrates agonized humans , wild animals and constructions being in pane, disordered by the brutality and utter confusion. The genre of this work is cubism , it is the political propaganda of the campaign against war.

This painting is till created by Pablo Picasso, which is called the weeping woman and was painted exactly the same age as the painting that I talked about above Guernica. This picture actually represents an actual woman who was Picassos colleague when he was mostly affected and involved in the political life .her name was Dora Maar, Picasso sad that her face was always weeping , this drawing is a study of the amount of sorrow and hurt that humans face can express. The two paintings are dedicated to the same theme and have the same idea, both express protest , Picasso had a series of protest paintings which was for the Spanish civil war , this painting was one of the last ones . From my point of view this painting expresses universal suffering of a woman.

self portrait by Pablo Picasso.

BIBLIOGRAPHY :

1.      "Google Images." Google. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. .

2.      "Guernica (painting)." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. .

3.      "The Weeping Woman." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. .

4.      "Weeping Woman - Picasso." INMINDS Home Page - Boycott Apartheid Israel. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. .

5.      "Pablo Picasso." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. .

Levan Ungiadze

Third of May

1) http://eeweems.com/goya/3rd_of_may.html <--- link to "The third of May" and Information

Third of May
Name of Artist_Francisco de Goya
When and where she/he lived_ 30 March 1746-16 April 1828) in Spain
Media_ Oil on Canvas
Genre_ History painting
Current location_ in the Museo del Prado, Madrid

Main idea of artwork is about the random executions of Spanish Citizenry resulted from fighting in the Puerto del Sol Area of Madrid.
The main events that inspired the artist was Spain being occupied by the French. Goya had previously admired the practical freedoms the French "enlighten" had promised, however the brutality and lies of Napoleon suspended whatever affection the Spanish liberals had for French freedoms. Another event that inspired of Goya painting "The Third of May" was him owning a property at La Quinta, the place where the massacre took place.
This painting represents Romantism which is well known for it's free handling of brushstrokes and the undone finish. The painter uses earth colors and black to make the painting depressing and more serious, but then highlights the young man with a white shirt, to make the young mane stand out of the crowd because he is actually juxtaposed to Jesus Christ. But the idea was not to exhibit the technical skills, but to display the main point_8 faceless French murderers who are willing to execute the Spanish no matter what. It really is a terrible sight.

2) http://eeweems.com/goya/2nd_of_may.html <---- link to "The Second of May" and the information.

While "The third of May" shows a merciless execution of Spanish by 8 faceless French murderers, "The second of May" shows an all out battle between the French and Spanish, in which the French won. In "The second of May" Goya emphasizes on The faces of both French and the Spanish while fighting. It is also in a lighter colors. "The third of May" and "The second of May" are same in few components. Both represent romantism. They both protest against the violence of the May, 1808 uprising. They are both Oil on Canvas.

3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raft_of_the_Medusa <---- link to "The Raft of Medusa" and the information.
Name of Artist_Théodore Géricault
When and where she/he lived_
Media_ Oil on Canvas
Genre_ History painting
Current location_ Louvre
"The Raft of Medusa" at 491 cm × 716 cm is an over-life-size painting that depicts a moment from the aftermath of the wreck of the French naval frigate Meduse, which ran aground off the coast. The raft was hurriedly constructed and it had no way of enduring 147 people which were on it.
Out of the 147 people which were on it, only 15 survived 13 days before their rescue, and those who survived endured starvation, dehydration, cannibalism and madness.
What "The Raft of Medusa" and "The Third of May" have in common is that they are both about massacre of lots of People. In the "The Third of May" the number is unknown, but from "The Raft of Medusa" we  know that 132 people died.

Kote Batonisashvili

 The 3^rd may

The artist that painter the glorious painting the 3^rd of May was Francisco Goya. Goya lived  From 30^th of March, 1746 until 16^th of April, 1828. He was a Spanish painter, who was sometimes called the master or the genius of the first modern artworks. When he painted The 3^rd of May, he Painted it on a Canvas. The genre of the totally awesome artwork is history. And it refers to Spanish people getting killed by Napoleons men for not joining their ‘side’ of the war. The current location of the painting is in Spain, Madrid, in a museum called Museum del Prado where it is safely guarded by many security guards.  In my opinion I think the main idea of this artwork was to show napoleon that not all people can be persuaded to join his side by only using guns and threatening them that if they don’t join they will die. So it was a sign of patriotism and the love for freedom and the right. When the painter (Francisco Goya) Painted this he should have had a reason for painting it, or maybe an event that happened, and Of course the main event was how napoleon tried to take over the whole world. That was the one and only main event that made Goya Draw the Canvas. The painting itself is soooo great, it represents so much and I think that there should be more to it than just people getting killed. I think the person in white that is ready to die is some sort of symbol, maybe like a symbol of hope and peace, because all the other people are in dark bloomy colors but he is the only one that stands out and that really catches the eye from the very moment you look at the painting.

The artist also has many more painting that are similar to this, for example The 2^nd of May is just like 3^rd of May, and it represents the 2^nd fight back of Spain against napoleon. When Goya painted this, many people said that it exceeded the limit, that it went up in the highest top band of all artworks he has painted. Meaning that it was the best painting he has ever drawn.

The two paintings have many similar and different things so I will compare them now.

 

The 3rd of May ·         Does have a winning side ·         Doesn’t have horses in the painting ·         Doesn’t have people fighting back ·         No fighting moment ·         Rhythmic composition ·         Light at foreground and dark at background

The 2nd of May ·         Has Horses in the painting ·         Doesn’t have a winning side ·         Has people fighting back ·         Fighting moment ·         Chaos everywhere, chaotic composition

Similarities ·         Have people dying ·         Same Artist ·         Both about Spanish people that became victims in the war that napoleon started ·         White light in a certain point ·         Dynamic composition ·         Deep far view with people at a foreground

                                                                                                             

There are also other people that painted similar paintings and one of the is the famous artwork a

the French revolution which can be a bit similar to the third of May. Liberty Leading the People.

They are both so great that it would be unwise not to compare them.

	There are many more similar things like one leader, the leading person in the very main point, the main people are full of protest, that they are ready for everything even the most terrible things like death, they both have the idea of freedom and they are ready to sacrifice themselves for their country, their people and their lives.

Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_of_May_1808 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Leading_the_People

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_of_May_1808

http://www.learner.org/courses/globalart/work/161/index.html