Discussion Posts

Discussion 4: Revolutionary Mexico

The Mexico of the “Porfiriato” was a Mexico fueled on ideologies of imperialism, capitalism, Euro-centrism and hierarchy. This alienated the majority of the country who were poor peasant farmer and suffered from the abuses of the up classes. The revolution was the turning point in society, that gave the people representation and acknowledgement that they too were part of the great modern Mexico. So it is obvious that the muralist would portray this liberation of the “campesinos” who were the majority of the country but treated like the minority. Los Tres Grandes painted images of the revolution (for reasons mentioned above), images of pre-columbian Mexico, as a way to bring forth the rich heritage and culture of their ancestors and restore those roots as what it meant to really be Mexican, as well as images criticizing the upper classes and the clergy who historically abused the people in countless occasions since Spanish colonization. The placement of these themes and images on places like the National Preparatory School, The Ministry of Education, the National School of Agriculture at Chapingo, and the Palacio Nacional show the people that their story and their grievances are worthy and just a part of the history of Mexico as any other part. It reinforces the establishment of the new inclusive Mexico for the people. In the novel Underdogs, the revolutionaries are like heroes to the people, they represent the side that fighting for them. People care for them when they need shelter and care, they are treated, by other revolutionaries  as well, as the men of the people.

Discussion 5: Revolutionary Mexican artists

For me Siqueros was the most revolutionary of “Los Tres Grandes”. He may not be the most well known, but he is definitely the most radical, experimental, and upfront about his art and beliefs. He spent a lot of his time being a dedicated member of the PCM where he would write for El Machete. He fought in the Mexican Revolution as well as in the Spanish Civil War. This aggressive nature of his actions as well as his strong political beliefs are clearly and proudly reflected in his art. He would often paints scenes of the revolution as well as murals of the people mixed in with famous historical figures. He was one of the first to paint on the actual outside of buildings. While the others painted on outer walls, they were still inside the courtyards of national buildings. Siqueros painted them on the outside to make it accessible to all, to show the people images of themselves and their culture to empower them. He was very experimental in the techniques and mediums he used. His most revolutionary piece was definitely America Tropical,  where he blatantly criticized the American Imperialism that plagued many parts of latin America. This mural caused so much uproar to those that commissioned it, that it was covered (whited out). Siqueros was a dedicated person. Dedicated to the causes he believed in to the point to fight in them, dedicated to his political views to such degree that he facilitated the attempted murder of Trotsky. Such strength of dedication to his ideals is explicitly and unapologetically expressed in his art.

Discussion 7: On Cradle Will Rock and Art & Power

The overall theme of the politics of public art is clearly reflected in the film. The film covered themes of the struggle between expressing certain ideologies and its censorship from figures of authority. The film portrayed the Federal Arts Projects which was a government program during the Great Depression that but artists to work on murals, music, and theatre. However as these artists’ ideologies became increasingly leftist, in the prime of Capitalism versus Communism tensions, they were forced to shut down as their art as seen as unacceptable and un-American. This shows how those in authority, and the ruling ideologies command what we, as the general public, see. The purpose of art is to express ones beliefs, emotions, thoughts, etc. and get a reaction from the viewers. But that is only acceptable when it is in line with the popular or beliefs of the authorities? This also brings another question which is, At what point does government sponsored public art, stop being art and becomes propaganda to further a political agenda?

 

 

Mural Art in México & US