During times of crisis, artists have been quick to respond and reflect on the chaos and destruction around them. While the world is tackling viruses, the artist has the function to depict the horror around the community and give a sense of understanding and empathy to people. Throughout history, there have been multiple pandemics and epidemics which have brought various responses from the art world.
In this dissertation I will look at representations of Black Death, HIV/AIDS, the Great Influenza pandemic and COVID-19. I have used historical texts and image examples including contemporary artist like Tracey Emin and David Wojnarowicz. I also use methods derived from practice, in activating histories to understand crisis.
Art serves many purposes in society including political and social causes, entertainment, self-expression, propaganda. During a crisis like the current COVID-19 pandemic, it especially helps to connect people and keep them sane. Throughout the year, people engaged in different art challenges on social media, shared home DIY projects, made their own facemasks and children drew rainbows to thank the NHS. Furthermore, artists around the world shared plenty of street art and digital art depicting facemasks, essential workers and transmitting a sense of longing for a brighter future.
In contrast to that, there was a CyberFirst campaign by the government targeted at the creative industry encouraging them to rethink their career (see Appendix A). The campaign poster depicted a ballet dancer alongside the text ‘Fatima’s next job could be in cyber (she just doesn’t know it yet)’ next to the slogan ‘Rethink. Reskill. Reboot.’ While there might have been some good intentions behind the campaign, it received a lot of criticism as it seems to suggest that art jobs are not important or worthy. It especially caused outrage as the arts and culture sector were hit hard by the effects of lockdown and the government was pressured to provide increased financial support.
I am motivated by my own continuous practice (including studio and research) by reflecting on the past and real lived experiences. It is my desire to actively learn from history as a tool for dealing with contemporary crises.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- WHAT IS PLAGUE ART?
- The Black Death
- DEATH
- DANSE MACABRE
- MADONNA DELLA MISERICORDIA
- SAINTS
- HIV/AIDS crisis
- QUEER ART
- Great Influenza Pandemic
- EGON SCHIELE
- EDVARD MUNCH
- COVID-19 pandemic
- TRACEY EMIN
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation explores the various ways artists have responded to and reflected upon pandemics and epidemics throughout history. It aims to delve into the historical and contemporary representations of plagues, focusing on how art has served as a tool for understanding, empathy, and societal critique during times of crisis.
- The role of art in depicting and understanding pandemics
- The historical representations of plagues, from the Black Death to COVID-19
- The use of art as a means of social commentary and political critique
- The impact of pandemics on the arts and creative industries
- The importance of art in fostering empathy and connection during times of crisis
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of "plague art" and sets the stage for the dissertation's exploration of artistic responses to pandemics throughout history. It highlights the role of art in providing understanding, empathy, and social commentary during times of crisis.
- WHAT IS PLAGUE ART?: This chapter delves into the definition and characteristics of plague art, examining how artists have historically responded to pandemics like the Black Death, HIV/AIDS, the Great Influenza pandemic, and COVID-19. It discusses the diverse forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, literature, performance art, and installation art, and their role in reflecting the social, political, and psychological impacts of these events.
- The Black Death: This chapter explores the artistic representations of the Black Death, focusing on themes of mortality, death, and the Danse Macabre. It examines how artists used these motifs to capture the fear, uncertainty, and despair associated with this devastating pandemic.
- DEATH: This chapter investigates the representation of death in plague art, analyzing how artists have depicted mortality and its impact on individuals and societies. It examines the use of symbolism and imagery to convey the profound changes brought about by pandemics.
- DANSE MACABRE: This chapter explores the recurring theme of the Danse Macabre, a medieval motif depicting death as a powerful figure leading a dance of humanity. It examines how artists have used this motif to convey the inevitability of death and the fragility of human life.
- MADONNA DELLA MISERICORDIA: This chapter delves into the artistic representation of the Madonna della Misericordia, a figure of protection and hope during times of plague. It examines how artists used this motif to express faith, resilience, and the desire for divine intervention.
- SAINTS: This chapter explores the role of saints in plague art, focusing on their depiction as protectors, healers, and intercessors. It examines how artists used imagery and symbolism to communicate the belief in divine intervention and the power of faith during pandemics.
- HIV/AIDS crisis: This chapter examines the artistic responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis, focusing on how artists have used art to challenge stigma, raise awareness, and advocate for social justice. It delves into the use of art as a tool for activism and social change.
- QUEER ART: This chapter explores the emergence of queer art during the HIV/AIDS crisis and its role in challenging homophobic attitudes and promoting LGBTQ+ rights. It examines how artists used their work to address the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals with HIV/AIDS.
- Great Influenza Pandemic: This chapter explores the artistic representations of the Great Influenza Pandemic, focusing on how artists captured the physical and psychological effects of the virus. It examines the use of art as a means of documenting the human experience of illness, fear, and loss.
- EGON SCHIELE: This chapter examines the work of Egon Schiele, a prominent Austrian painter who was deeply affected by the Great Influenza Pandemic. It analyzes how Schiele's art reflected his personal experiences with the pandemic, including themes of mortality, illness, and isolation.
- EDVARD MUNCH: This chapter explores the work of Edvard Munch, a Norwegian artist whose artistic style was profoundly influenced by the Great Influenza Pandemic. It analyzes how Munch's art reflected his own struggles with illness and his fascination with death and the human condition.
- COVID-19 pandemic: This chapter examines the contemporary artistic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how artists are using their work to document the global crisis and explore the changing landscape of human experience. It delves into the diverse ways artists are engaging with themes of isolation, fear, hope, and resilience.
- TRACEY EMIN: This chapter examines the work of Tracey Emin, a contemporary British artist whose art has been profoundly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes how Emin's art explores themes of loneliness, vulnerability, and the search for connection in the face of a global crisis.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This dissertation focuses on key themes such as the representation of pandemics, plague art, mortality, death, social commentary, artistic activism, queer art, historical and contemporary art, and the impact of pandemics on individuals and societies. It examines the work of prominent artists like Tracey Emin, David Wojnarowicz, Egon Schiele, and Edvard Munch, and their role in capturing the human experience of these global crises.
- Quote paper
- Joséphine Hengstwerth (Author), 2021, Learning from the Virus. Exploration of historic and contemporary representations and art works of pandemics and epidemics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1370755
