Exposé formes de pouvoir BAC terminal S

POWER OF ART

The artists of the whole world can influence through their works our way of thinking. Our today’s society is inevitably influenced by art : with paintings, posters, photographies or tags.

How can art contribute to influence people’s minds ?

Generally, artists are often associated to protest movements. However, certain artists by conviction or by obligation participate in their own way to hold the political power in place in a country. Indeed, the art of these artists is a propaganda art. Propaganda art is an art at the disposal of a political power to influence his population. It is a question of guiding the way of thinking of citizens to spread the ideas of the regime. The political and military power for example, use advertisements or posters, stuck in streets to influence a lot of people. This art is used a lot by totalitarian states. 

This propaganda art was present in particulary in Germany under the nazi dictatorship of Hitler or  in Russia under the communist dictatorship of Stalin. The posters of these artists aim at glorifying their leaders and at influencing the citizens to believe in the good sides of this governments.

How can art contribute to fitghting injustice ?

In different countries of the world, some forms of power are criticized and rejected by groups of people or citizens. In fact, the aim of the artist is to convey the facts of an issue and influence people's opinions. Artists using art for addressing political, social, and moral issues through their works.

Banksy, social agitator known throughout the world, is a very committed artist. The majority of his works are striking and humorous at the same time. He is for freedom, justice, against war or famine. Anticapitalist, he often accompanies his works wich make us think.

The streeat art against Poutine of P183, a well-known Russian artist, pays tribute to the demonstrators of his country but also denounce the police repression or still the security obsession of Russia.

The trend of the street art also invades poor countries as  the capital of Cameroon and becomes the favorite mode of expression of youth’s frustrations. These graffitis have, for the most part, a political connotation. They are the best way to pass messages  and to change things. Street artists of Cameroon also work on themes more societal as urban disorder or awareness to the HIV.  

The power of art is very important. Its influence can have an impact on a national or international scale. Art can influence negatively by indoctrinating mentalities as do it dictatorships with propaganda, but still positively : changing  mentalities or denouncing the reality of our society.

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