Research- Lecture (Reality, Rebellion)

5th December

Research Context  

Reality, Rebellion, Subversion

Introduction officially to social and historical context within research.

• The rebel, Tony Hancock 1961

Modern delegation of freedom deemed by others. Revolt of the situation one finds themselves in. Social realism and socialist realism, a documentation of the ‘everyday’ situation. Specific focus on why the everyday began to be documented when seemingly mundane. Now social realism could be used to show the truth in so many unseen ‘realities’. Mid 19th century social realism became a major feature of European art and literature, fueled by demands for equality in the 18th century. Revolutionary ideas were born from modernity.

• Olinde Rodrigues, The artist, the scientist and the industrialist, 1825,

first recorded use of the term "avant-garde" in modern sense:

artists should "serve as [the people's] avant-garde", since "the power of the arts is indeed the most immediate and fastest way" to social, political & economic reform

Resonates deeply within my own work due to the social context and belief of arts power within society. Specifically in modern society due to past example of art leading ‘avant-garde’ movements.

The ‘immediate’ aspect of that statement is something my work intends due to the pressing matter of the issues concerning my work. Research and assurance of this has been found in ‘This changes everything’ as referenced and reflected upon above.

“The rebel undoubtedly demands a certain degree of freedom for himself; but in no case, if he is consistent, does he demand the right to destroy the existence and the freedom of others. He humiliates no one. The freedom he claims, he claims for all; the freedom he refuses, he forbids everyone to enjoy. He is not only the slave against the master, but also man against the world of master and slave. Therefore, thanks to rebellion, there is something more in history than the relation between mastery and servitude. Unlimited power is not the only law. It is in the name of another value that the rebel affirms the impossibility of total freedom while he claims for himself the relative freedom necessary to recognize this impossibility.”

Albert Camus, The Rebel, 1951

Although stated and published in 1951 the ideas can still be strongly applied to modern day. The overtake of capitalism and corporate capitalism more than ever demands rebellion against selfish world climate destruction for solely economical and private gain. The ‘unlimited power’ of modern day is being protected by legislation and government to improve trade and revenue.

Therefore, although ideologies are able to be identified in 1951, their implication is still in need in ‘modern day’. This re establishes the ever present need for rebellion in its truest sense.

Rebellion has often had negative connotations due to the very bias view of those reporting ‘rebellious’ events. Throughout the lecture and seminar I began to consider this aspect and the possibility that's why modern and historical art is criticized do heavily. Due to the fact it can often carry people along with it that have a creative outlook and often rebellious undertones.