Art as activism | Marcus Ellsworth | TEDxUTChattanooga

TEDx Talks

15 Nov 201413:41

Summary

TLDRThe speaker explores the transformative power of art as a form of activism, sharing personal experiences and historical examples that demonstrate art's ability to inspire change. From World War II propaganda to the Harlem Renaissance, art has been a catalyst for societal shifts. The speaker recounts a personal encounter that deepened their understanding of art's impact, leading them to activism roles in their community. They encourage artists to share their truths and viewers to engage with art to foster dialogue and promote change.

Takeaways

🎨 Art as Activism: The speaker emphasizes that art can be a powerful tool for change, connecting and motivating people to take action.
🗣️ Historical Examples: The script references Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter from WWII, showing how art can mobilize society and influence perspectives.
🌟 Icons for Change: Rosie the Riveter became a feminist icon, demonstrating the lasting impact of art on social movements.
🎭 Harlem Renaissance: The script highlights the Harlem Renaissance as a pivotal moment where black artists brought a new perspective to the world stage, influencing the civil rights movement.
👤 Personal Impact: The speaker shares a personal story about a performance that led to a profound conversation, changing someone's viewpoint on the LGBTQ+ community.
🌈 Art's Emotional Connection: Art can have a deep emotional and personal impact, prompting individuals to rethink their beliefs and attitudes.
🔍 Small but Significant: Art can effect change in both grand and subtle ways, inspiring and motivating people on a personal level.
🌟 Art as a Catalyst: The speaker's experience with art led to a change in perspective and involvement in various movements for equality and justice.
👥 Community of Artists: The Chattanooga area is home to many artists using their work to express truth and bring about change, showing it's a widespread phenomenon.
📣 Calls to Action: The speaker encourages both artists to share their truth and audiences to engage with art to spark conversation and challenge views.
💬 Art as Dialogue: The script suggests that art can initiate important discussions and prompt personal and societal reflection.

Q & A

What is the concept of 'art as activism' as described in the script?
-Art as activism refers to the use of art as a medium to bring about change, connect people, engage them, and motivate them to take action. It's a way to advance society and mobilize it for a cause.
How did Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter serve as examples of art as activism during World War Two?
-Uncle Sam was used to mobilize an entire generation of young men to fight in the war, while Rosie the Riveter encouraged women to join the workforce, which was a significant change in the American workforce and contributed to the feminist movement.
What role did the Harlem Renaissance play in American history according to the script?
-The Harlem Renaissance was a period where black artists and writers created work that was seen on a global stage for the first time, offering a black American perspective that informed the civil rights movement and continues to inspire the fight for equality and justice.
What personal experience did the speaker share about the impact of their art on an audience member?
-The speaker shared an experience where a man, who was initially part of an audience that seemed unlikely to connect with the speaker's work, was deeply moved and began to reconsider his views on the LGBTQ+ community after listening to the speaker's poetry.
How did the encounter with the audience member change the speaker's perspective on the power of art?
-The encounter made the speaker realize that art can have an emotional and personal impact, leading people to think and potentially change their views, which in turn can influence the world around them.
What actions did the speaker take as a result of their realization about the power of art?
-The speaker became more involved in social activism, taking on roles such as the president of Tennessee Valley Pride and co-chair for Tennessee Equality Project for Hamilton and Bradley counties.
Can you name some local Chattanooga artists mentioned in the script who use their art as activism?
-Some local Chattanooga artists mentioned are Big Mike Mike, Ann Law, and Ray Zimmerman, who use their work to address issues such as street violence, breast cancer survival, and environmental conservation.
What is Big Mike Mike's project called and what does it focus on?
-Big Mike Mike's project is called 'City without tears', focusing on telling the true stories of people living in Chattanooga's inner city who have suffered from street violence and police brutality.
What was the first call to action given by the speaker in the script?
-The first call to action was for everyone to get out there and tell their truth using their creative expression, with the intent to connect with people and change the world.
What was the second call to action given by the speaker in the script?
-The second call to action was for those engaging with art to let it move them, spark conversations, challenge their own views, and identify actions they can take to make the world better.
What message does the speaker convey through their original piece performed at the end of the script?
-The speaker's original piece conveys a message of seeking understanding, respect, and equality. It challenges societal norms and calls for recognition of love and humanity beyond traditional beliefs and prejudices.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Art as a Catalyst for Change

The speaker discusses the powerful role of art as a means to inspire and mobilize people towards action and change. Historical examples are highlighted, such as Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter during World War II, which significantly influenced societal participation and the workforce's gender dynamics. The Harlem Renaissance is also mentioned as a pivotal moment that brought black artists into the global spotlight, shaping the civil rights movement and fostering ongoing fights for equality. The narrative then shifts to a personal account of the speaker's experience performing spoken word, which led to a profound realization about the impact art can have on individuals' perspectives and societal attitudes.

05:00

🌟 The Transformative Power of Personal Connection

This paragraph delves into the transformative effect of personal connection through art, as illustrated by the speaker's encounter with a man who was deeply affected by the speaker's performance. Initially, the man's preconceived notions were challenged by the speaker's spoken word, leading to a significant internal shift in his views on the LGBTQ+ community. The conversation that ensued prompted the speaker to reflect on the potential of art to not only entertain but also to evoke deep thought and change in individuals. The speaker's own journey as an artist and activist is shared, highlighting how embracing this philosophy has led to leadership roles in various equality and justice movements.

10:04

📢 Art as Activism: A Call to Action

The final paragraph serves as a call to action, urging artists to use their creativity to express their truths and inspire change. The speaker emphasizes the importance of unapologetically sharing one's story through various forms of art to connect with and influence others. Additionally, the audience is encouraged to engage deeply with art, to let it provoke thought and conversation, and to challenge their own views. The speaker concludes with a personal performance piece that embodies the message of using art to reveal one's soul and to foster understanding and respect among diverse individuals.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Art as Activism

Art as Activism refers to the use of artistic expression as a means to bring about social, political, or environmental change. In the video, this concept is central to the narrative, illustrating how art has historically been a powerful tool for mobilizing people and inspiring action. Examples include Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter during World War Two, which motivated an entire generation to participate in the war effort and women to join the workforce, respectively.

💡Change

Change is a fundamental theme in the video, emphasizing the transformative power of art. It is presented as a process that art can initiate, whether on a large societal scale or on an individual level. The speaker's personal transformation and the subsequent changes they inspire in others through their art exemplify this concept.

💡Connection

Connection is highlighted as a vital outcome of art as activism. The video discusses how art can connect people emotionally and intellectually, fostering empathy and understanding. The speaker's experience at the 'Strange Bedfellows' event demonstrates this, as their performance connected with an audience member who had preconceived notions, leading to a profound personal realization.

💡Motivation

Motivation is portrayed as a key aspect of art's influence. The video suggests that art can inspire individuals to take action and engage with societal issues. The speaker's own motivation to become involved in various movements and organizations stems from their realization of art's capacity to move and inspire.

💡Rosie the Riveter

Rosie the Riveter is an iconic symbol from the video, representing the shift in women's roles during World War Two. She became a cultural icon for feminism and the changing workforce, illustrating how art and imagery can redefine societal norms and expectations.

💡Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance is mentioned as a period where black artists and writers gained visibility and contributed to a broader understanding of the black American perspective. This cultural movement is an example of how art can advance societal progress and inform later social changes, such as the civil rights movement.

💡Personal Experience

Personal Experience is a recurring theme in the video, with the speaker sharing their own story as a gay black man in the South. Their art is deeply rooted in their personal experiences, which they use to connect with and influence others, showcasing the power of art to communicate individual truths.

💡Cultural Shift

Cultural Shift is a concept discussed in the video, referring to the broader changes in societal attitudes and norms that can be influenced by art. The speaker's art, along with the work of other artists, contributes to a cultural shift towards greater equality and justice.

💡Engagement

Engagement is highlighted as a critical component of art's impact. The video encourages viewers to actively engage with art, to let it spark conversations and challenge their views. This active participation is seen as essential for art to effect change.

💡Truth

Truth is a central concept in the video, with the speaker advocating for artists to express their truth without censorship or apology. This authenticity is believed to be a powerful tool for connection and change, as it allows for genuine understanding and empathy.

💡Community

Community is a key theme, emphasizing the collective impact of art. The video mentions various artists and their contributions to their local communities, showing how art can bring people together and address shared concerns.

Highlights

Art as a bringer of change, connecting and motivating people to action.

Historical examples of art mobilizing society, like Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter during WWII.

Rosie the Riveter as an icon for feminism and changing the American workforce.

The Harlem Renaissance showcasing black American perspective and influencing the civil rights movement.

Art's role in both iconic, historic ways and smaller, quieter ways of inspiring and motivating people.

Personal experience performing at 'Strange Bedfellows' event and its impact on audience.

An encounter with a man in camouflage who was deeply affected by the spoken word performance.

The realization that art can change people's perspectives and challenge their views.

Becoming involved in various movements and organizations due to the power of art and personal storytelling.

Examples of local artists using their work for activism, such as Big Mike Mike's 'City without tears'.

Ann Law's use of dance to champion causes and tell her story of surviving breast cancer.

Ray Zimmerman's poetry and environmental activism highlighting the natural beauty and threats to Tennessee Valley.

Art as activism happening in the Chattanooga area with hundreds of artists expressing their truth.

The first call to action: Encouraging everyone to use their creativity to tell their truth and affect change.

The second call to action: Engaging with art beyond mere appreciation, using it to spark conversation and challenge views.

A personal piece performed to illustrate the power of art in connecting with and moving an audience.