William Cleveland
Auteur de Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines
Œuvres de William Cleveland
Art in other places : artists at work in America's community and social institutions (1992) 14 exemplaires
Making Exact Change: How U.S. arts-based programs have made a significant and sustained impact on their communities (2011) 2 exemplaires
Bad World Small Things 1 exemplaire
Britannica Atlas 1 exemplaire
Étiqueté
Partage des connaissances
- Sexe
- male
Membres
Critiques
Prix et récompenses
Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 7
- Membres
- 41
- Popularité
- #363,652
- Évaluation
- 4.5
- Critiques
- 3
- ISBN
- 5
If you would have asked me those questions prior to reading Art and Upheaval I would responded hesitantly, saying that art is beautiful, but I'm not sure if it is something that can change lives. After reading this book though, I have been convinced of the importance of art and its power when it is used by citizens of a community to communicate ideas that will foster healing and unity.
Art and Upheaval is split into six sections, each of which discusses a geographic area which has dealt with some form of hardship, and then follows the actions and art of those in that area, reflecting on how that art has changed and helped those communities. The geographic areas and the hardships faced are quite diverse.
In Northern Ireland a community comes together to support a play about a mixed marriage in which the play moves through a community, crossing back and forth between the Catholic and Protestant areas of town. In Cambodia artists set out to recreate their history through art after the losses from the Khmer Rouge. In South Africa artists set out to address both the issues of apartheid and AIDS. In America the Watts Prophets inspire with group performance poetry. In Australia theater is used as a means to communicate the effects of nuclear testing on unknowing military men and the aborigines, in hopes that the government will finally take responsibility for their actions. In Serbia a theater group responded to the war by acting in the streets.
Each chapter follows the artists from the creation of their idea through its implementation, and shows how they managed to create art in spite of hardship, and in many cases government opposition. Their stories are truly inspirational, and I learned a lot about the culture and history of the people in the process of reading about their creations.
While this does read as more of a textbook, and I wish that there were a lot more photos of the art and performances (all photos are black and white), the stories were both informative and touching. A few of the stories brought me to tears, especially those of the survivors of the nuclear testing in Australia.
I highly recommend this book if you have any interest in community art and performance, especially as a means to help others cope with difficult circumstances.… (plus d'informations)