The Social Issue Project

"Art is not meant to decorate rooms. It is an offensive

weapon in the defense of the enemy."   -Picasso

“Social Issue”

O“Social issues are controversial issues which relate to people's personal lives and interactions”.

Current Social Issues

Here’s what Tes One has to say about the print:

Laws should be designed to protect the innocent, the unarmed, the child walking back home from the corner store. Florida’s “Stand Your Ground”

law (and similar laws in 31 states) does the opposite by giving license to

any aggressor with a gun, and allowing them to claim self-defense as

their reasoning to shoot and kill another person.

I created “Stand Our Ground” for people – regardless of race or gender,

to stand in solidarity against the injustice this law allows. Adding awareness to the Trayvon Martin

tragedy, and aiding his family in their pursuit of justice. All proceeds from

the release of “Stand Our Ground” will be donated to the Justice for Trayvon Charity and their advocacy efforts.

Kony 2012INVISIBLE CHILDREN USES FILM, CREATIVITY

AND SOCIAL ACTION TO END THE USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS IN JOSEPH KONY'S REBEL WAR AND RESTORE LRA-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN CENTRAL AFRICA TO PEACE AND PROSPERITY.

Examples from Social Activist Artists

OKathe KollwitzOMichael D’Antuono

Kathe KollowitzO 1867-1945O German painter, printmaker and

sculptor.O Father- radical Social democratMother was the daughter of Lutheran pastor expelled from Evangelical Church in Prussia-started his own indedpendent congregationO Began studying art at the age of 12.

Always interested in everyday life.

O Married a doctor- who tended to the poor. O Continued to be drawn to the working class and

their struggles.O Lost son in WWI. Designed and created a

monument, Grieving Parents” in his honor.

Mother with Dead Child

O1933- forced to resign by the Nazi Party. Continued to work privately, but was eventually visited by the Gestapo who threatened to deport her to a concentration camp.

The Mothers

Michael D’Antuono

O Currently known as the “Thinking man’s artist”

O Being called, “One of the world’s most controversial artists”.

O Studied art in NY and Paris and worked as an Illustrator and Art Director in advertising.

O Inspired by media’s interpretation of world events.

O Decided to paint “The Truth” through art.

Michael D’Antuono

O To be displayed on Obama’s 100th day in office.

O Negative reaction was overwhelming- tv and radio shows, newspapers, magazines, blogs and 4,000 personal emails

O Made the (regretful) decision to pull the piece.

Down and Outsourced

Independence?

The Project

Overview:O Choose a social issue of PERSONAL significance.O Create a ceramic proportional figure

symbollically representing the the issue.O Gather images statistics, poems, quotes, etc.

Regarding/supporting your viewpoint of an issue.

O Combine collage and the figure to create a clear and powerful statement regarding your viewpoint.

O Write an artist statement explaining the process and the product.

“I can…”O I can explore social and global issues

through the creative process. (ART.VA.II.HS.8 )

O I can clearly express my ideas and beliefs through the artistic process. (ART.VA.II.HS.2 )

O I can purposefully communicate my ideas through my artwork. (ART.VA.I.HS.2 )

O I can use technology and other current mediums to create a work of art that is sensitive to context, values and aesthetics.(ART.VA.II.HS.6 )

Ask yourself:What issue am I passionately for?

What issue am I passionately against?What issue would I like to bring an awareness

to?What issue would I like to prevent?

There must be a personal connection to the issue.

Examples of Artist Statements

“I choose my theme because when I was little my brother and I were abused by his dad. My mom was also abused but we couldn't get away from him because we were afraid of what he would do. When we went to school with bruises on us we couldn't say anything when teachers asked we had to lie. Finally after 6 years we left and got away from him. Now we live with my mom without the abuse.”

“For my social issue I chose Verbal Abuse. I had a hard time at first picking an issue because I don’t always just pick a side to

things or feel for a lot of things emotionally, but I finally found an issue. I

picked this topic because I know a few people who are close to me that are or were verbally abused. I wanted to show people that it really does hurt. This topic

just hit a little close to home.”

“The social issue that I chose for this project was Epidermolysis Bullosa. The

reason I chose this subject was because a close family member of mine passed away with this disease. She was only six weeks old, and she had a severe case of EB. She was diagnosed with Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa. I chose this subject to not only learn more about this subject, but to also

inform readers that saw this project.”

“Censorship is an important social issue. I chose this social issue because it closely relates to my future career plans. I plan to become an English

Professor and an Author. Censorship is important because it infringes upon

ones First Amendment Rights including Freedom of Speech and Freedom of

Religion. Censorship is unconstitutional.”

I choose this theme because I believe this war is doing no good for the USA. This war is getting out of hand. Eight years of war so far and nothing good has came from it.

I am personally connected to this topic through my good friend Annie and I don’t want her to go. About three months ago she decided she wanted to enroll in the army. I am all for supporting our troops and protecting our country but I believe

this war is unwinnable.

Past Examples

Figurative Work

Collaged Environment

“Science Fair Project”vs

“Work of Art”

Searching for Social Issues

Overview:O Choose a social issue of PERSONAL

significance. (Consider ELAC 11 research)O Create a ceramic proportional figure

symbolically representing the the issue.O Gather images statistics, poems, quotes, etc.

Regarding/supporting your viewpoint of an issue.

O Combine collage and the figure to create a clear and powerful statement regarding your viewpoint.

O Write an artist statement explaining the process and the product.