The Problems and Pleasures of an Activist Art Exhibition
Billy Anania | March 23, 2022
I am often skeptical of protest art behind glass, yet I still cannot deny the pleasure of experiencing politically charged artworks in a venue making the effort.
The meaning of “activism” has shifted in the age of social media. What originally stood for dedicated organizing work has become an aesthetic reference point for online debates. Corporations, small businesses, and celebrity influencers now adopt activist personae to position themselves as thought leaders in their industries, effectively limiting its meaning to where and how you spend your money. Art spaces are caught up in this as well, reflecting a growing public desire for political education outside of mainstream media.
