Grade 11/12 Art - Day 15

The next methodology we will explore in visual art is Marxism.

Let`s first talk about what Marxism means.  Marxism is derived from the teachings of Karl Marx.  The dictionary definition (from Merriam Webster) is that Marxism is "the political, economic, and social theories of Karl Marx including the belief that the struggle between social classes is a major force in history and that there should eventually be a society in which there are no classes".

There came a time in history when historians were no longer complacent studying military and political history, and wanted to apply different ideological approaches to interpreting history.  Given the teachings of Karl Marx, art historians chose to apply Marxist rationale to interpreting and understanding art.

From Art Across Time: Marx himself, interested by the industrial revolution, was interested in the process of making art and its exploitation by the ruling classes.  He contrasted the workers (proletariat) who create the art with the property owners (the bourgeoisie) who exploit the workers, and believed that this distinction led to the alienation of artists from their own productions."  (Adams)

In her blog entitled "A Quick Discussion on Marxism and Art," Dayna L.C. captured the essense of this discussion in the following paragraph:

"The creation and existence of art, which in Marxist thought is a manifestation of human desire and imagination, allows for the “base” to be transformed by conscious-altering ideas. Therefore, art is an avenue by which the individual can break through the debilitating fog of “false consciousness.” Art can create a state of conscious-altering in a society which can then initiate a revolution. The avant-garde, then, rises to protect culture against capitalist forces. By encouraging individuals to think outside of the limits to which their thoughts are regulated by the systems of power, art serves to eradicate the “demystification” present in capitalist society. "

Well-written!  I therefore present the following work for discussion in class.  I am curious to hear your analysis of this piece, with a newly found Marxist slant on your interpretation.  Bruegel's "Landscape with the Fall of Icarus".