BRITTA FLUEVOG: ART ACTIVISIM IS POWERFUL

TUESDAY 21 JULY, 15:30 - 15:55 

Lecture Room 2

Art activism is powerful. Also known as activist art, protest art, visual activism, artivism and creative activism, it changes lives, situations and is and has been a powerful weapon across a whole spectrum of struggles for justice. It assiduously campaigns for environmental change, and requires activation either through location, context or connection to a wider protest movement or campaign. Art activism, through a clear message, supports an issue of genuine concern that is relevant and actionable without being blocked by institutionalism; it contains an artistic element and, when appropriate, has a poignant location.

My talk will present my research in inclusive and accessible art activism. I started this research to overcome my own obstacles: I am living in an inconsequential town, working alone, and am the primary caretaker to a child, which means I have timing and arrest concerns. These are the four areas I see needing to be addressed to increase inclusivity and widen access to art activism: solo, location, timing, and risk.My practice-based research displays how art activism can be developed to increase inclusivity and widen access, and what aspects of textiles can be utilised for this end. Within this talk, I will be exploring different projects that utilise gifting, care, intentionality, connotative & poignant materials/ locations, stealth photography, subterfuge and workshops as methods to create inclusive art activism that widens access to it for a broad group of people, myself included, who find stereotypical art activism challenging to participate in.