Discussed briefly in chapter 13, Expressionism emerged in the early 1900's as a reaction against realism in art. Expressionists weren't satisfied with real depictions of scenery and figures, so they supported for an art movement that would clearly exhibit their inner most feelings that were often unsettling, disturbing, or sometimes grotesque. Often exaggerated in vivid colors, Expressionism's main purpose was to demonstrate a strong sense of emotion. Beginning in the early 20th century, Europe was modernizing as "new technologies and massive urbanization efforts altered the individual's worldview" (Justin Wolf, Art Story). Artists captured how people were being psychologically impacted by society by focusing on feelings. The first notable example of Expressionism arose from Norway by Edvard Munch who painted
The Scream (1893). Justin Wolf notes that Munch got inspiration for this painting from the "conflict between spirituality and modernity".
One of the first expressionists to use art as a mean to direct attention on social issues was German-born Schmidt Kollwitz. Kollwitz was the voice of the poverty stricken, the sick, and the suffering when the German government offered little to no aid. Later on she held exhibitions of lithographs, ethchings (using metal plates like copper to make prints, but the design is marked by acid) across Germany portraying the hardships of poor weavers rebelling against industrial textile mills. Her works were favorable to the eyes of judges, artists, and the as she won numerous awards and honors. She became the first woman elected in the Prussian Academy, but was later expelled for his beliefs and artwork. Then when Hitler came into power Kollwitz was forced to stop exhibiting her work as they were labeled as "degenerate".
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| Kathe Schmidt Kollwitz, Poverty, 1893 |
Expressionism did not just stop there at the 20th century, the movement still continues to be seen in ads and art to this day. Artists today don't necessarily have to use the same techniques expressionists used like curves, swirling shapes, vivid colors, exaggerated effects, distortions, or bold lines. Many foundations and organizations employ photographers and designers to create messages that depict the harsh realities of people starving in third-world countries to child sex workers to neglected animals. Raising awareness and gaining donations for these organizations is mainly possible through the work of designers who decided what to display on posters that will evoke readers the most. Like Kollwitz and expressionists, designers are willing to show unpleasant and shocking images of humanity to elicit a response. But nowadays, I feel as if designers will do almost anything to make a statement as I turn my face away from the grotesque images of thin, poor children piercing into my soul with their large, empty eyes. Lush, a company that prides itself in making safe bath and beauty products through ethical ingredients, have done street demonstrations reenacting an animal testing beauty products on a woman (who was voluntarily) wearing a nude body suit with a rope tied around her neck going through some of the pain and torture lab animals go through for a whole
10 hours. Certainly a level above what expressionists had dreamed of, right?
One of my favorite designers who uses his art to create meaningful works that help the poor and suffering is Jeseok Yi. In an interview with
Print Magazine, Yi states,
"Honing my knife to be the world's sharpest means nothing without defining its purpose. What will be the final influence of my work on mankind? Making type look perfectly great and doing Photoshop like a machine is not everything."
What makes Yi's ads different others is that his doesn't use gory or rated-R images to get his message across viewers; all of Yi's works aren't exaggerated and use images we're used to seeing. Though simple, his works are clever and straight to the point. I highly recommend anyone to google a few of this other works because I couldn't pick a favorite!
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| What goes around comes around anti-war campaign, wrapping poster #1. Global Coalition for Peace, 2009 |
Art has always been more than just "drawing pretty things". Some professionals offer their skills in drawing, photography, or design (or all three) to make a difference in the lives of those who rarely have a chance to speak about their injustices. From Thomas Nast to Kollwitz to modern designers like Yi, we see that a picture can influence society, spark discussions, and make change that benefits humanity.
Sources:
The Art Story, http://www.theartstory.org/movement-expressionism.htm
Woman in Art, Kathe Kollwitz, http://www.mystudios.com/women/klmno/kollwitz.html
Kathe Kollwitz, http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Kathe_Schmidt_Kollwitz.aspx
Print Magazine, http://www.printmag.com/imprint/2011-nva-winner-jeseok-yi/
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