In a time of war, it’s common to see governments pushing their agenda on their populace via propaganda. However, sometimes it goes further than just propaganda. Sometimes governments use their power to suppress opinions and spread misinformation in order to fully control all of the media their citizens consume. This practice places artistic individuals at risk of persecution because of their (almost implied) connection to/ support of liberal ideas and human liberties. These artists must dodge government agencies and attempt to escape torture or death. Nevertheless, they still produce art and counterculture media. However, the aftermath of this level of governmental control leaves the artistic community scarred and apprehensive as to what they can say and what happens if the wrong people hear them.
In general, governmental control of what media is produced and shown to the public is a common practice in most countries, even in non-wartime. However, when a country goes to war it needs the full support of its populace and it will use any means necessary in order to push its agenda. Russia is a prime example of what happens when the government tries to censor its people and take full control of human expression. When the initial invasion of Ukraine took place, Russia was quick to smother any possible flame of rebellion. This was demonstrated when “the Meyerhold Center's building was taken over by the directorate of the SDA [School of Dramatic Art Theatre].” (Vilisov 2022) The Meyerhold Center was known as “ an inclusive and queer-friendly space. In addition to performances, it hosted educational programs and conferences, and it was almost the only place in the state where left-wing artists could feel free.” (Vilisov 2022) The SDA on the other hand is a government-controlled education institution in charge of educating future generations of artists. After looking at this one situation it’s clear to see how a government can take control of what art is shown and control future artistic expression by infiltrating the education system.
Along with direct performances and art displays, wartime governments can also persecute their citizens for any sign of patriotic opposition. For example in Russia right now “[y]ou can be detained for a badge with a Ukrainian flag on it.” (Vilisov 2022) This is a direct violation of the human right to self-expression and freedom of speech. Although not every country allows for the same level of individual expression as the United States, I think it’s safe to say that for artists, regardless of where they’re from, self-expression is the foundation of their purpose. So by having a militarized regime targeting anyone who’s rocking the boat, artists are forced to seek refuge and fight back the only way they know: by making more art.
The art that comes out of war can be some of the most intense and moving pieces out there. I believe this is because as the saying goes, “art imitates life” and when life is the brutality of war the art will work to convey those same emotions. Maria Kulikovska’s sculpture 6 Ballistic Soap Figures is a prime example of the type of art that is produced in response to trauma caused by war. Kulikovska was once a citizen of Crimea until it was annexed by Russia in 2014. Since then She’s been unable to return to her homeland and instead her “life is secluded behind a border that [she] cannot cross.” (Kulikovska 2022) She revolves most of her pieces around the female form and will use manipulation of this form to tell her story and the story of so many others in her position. In this image, you can see a female form made of soap with ballistic impact scattered around the body. To me, this is a literal and figurative representation of the impact on the people caught in the crossfire of war.
As the smoke of battle clears there will always be at least one thing still standing, art. Art is more than just physical objects and projects. It’s the culture of expression and exchange of ideas. No government in history has been able to fully cull counterculture art from its midst. This is because art only requires the individual and their ideas. Thus art has survived war by taking refuge in individuals willing to risk it all for what they believe in. Artists know that the day the government can fully suppress their art is the day that culture dies. This is why art is still being produced. Across borders and across the internet, art has survived war time and time again. As a form of expression and as a form of catharsis art will continue to be used to rally people around a shared ideal and shared trauma. Although governments may try and censor artists, it’s a war they’ll never win.
References
Biedarieva, Svitlana. “Art Communities at Risk: On Ukraine.” October, 2022, https://direct.mit.edu/octo/article/doi/10.1162/octo_a_00452/110169/Art-Communities-at-Risk-On-Ukraine. Accessed 6 Sept. 2022.
Vilisov, Viktor. “There Was Some Contemporary Culture Left in Russia. Then Putin Started a War.” HowlRound Theatre Commons, ArtsEmerson, 4 Apr. 2022, https://howlround.com/there-was-some-contemporary-culture-left-russia-then-putin-started-war.
Many of the things that obstruct the artist is the government itself and when the artist presents art in the form of protest/expression even more so. And yes, it is evident that the government pays certain media to present news in favor of them there creating that propaganda. I definitely agree that art is much more than a physical piece and/or a presentation, it is something much deeper that only the artist knows and that is what he wants to transmit. Great job, Keelan!
Dear Keelan, your response is thought-provoking. Thank you for bringing up important points of the reading and mixing to with your brilliant points of view. I agree that "governmental control of what media is produced and shown to the public is a common practice in most countries, even in non-wartime. However, when a country goes to war, it needs the full support of its populace, and it will use any means necessary in order to push its agenda."
Moreover, your ending paragraph is outstanding. Keep up the great work keelan.
Keelan, I really enjoyed your piece about art during the war. One quote that specifically spoke to me was that "art imitates life" and I agree that like is not the best right now especially for Ukrainians and Russian, so their art is depicting that. The soap figures sculpture really spoke to this. I also believe this art is how they express their trauma, which is another reason we should do what ever we can to protect it.
Keelan, I am so grateful that you have included Maria Kulikovska’s sculpture 6 Ballistic Soap Figures in your blog, because I don't know that I would have come across it otherwise. So haunting and powerful. One of the things I completely failed to mention in my own approximation to the prompt was the role of art as self-expression, which you so aptly mentioned. I think it's often easy to overlook art's basic role as a form of self expression, especially when there is more at play like war and suffering. But, art does not always have to serve a purpose, it doesn't have to be cathartic, it doesn't have to be critical, or weaponized. Those who suffer in wartime, still…