“Gender Discrimination” “Racism” “Homophobia” “Academic Freedom”. These sensitive phrases are commonly associated with social movements, possibly government policies, which often raised by some kind of declaration. However, with the evolution of technology and all kinds of alternative media, ways of solving and supporting these sensitive topics become easier and faster. Nevertheless, it provides us with numerous innovative ways to express our invoices.
As Audrey Hudson discussed in the panel, she represents elements in Hip Hop Culture which help to convey the idea of “Currency of socio-political thoughts”. It amazed me how we can utilize all these creative ways to express a comparatively serious topic. Convert Activist to ARTivist is such a subtle alteration which give everyone opportunities to stand up for what they believe in.
For me, an international student from a communist society, the word, the activist wasn’t that familiar with my personal experiences, because of the censorship in China. The communist party of China controls the mainstream media, nevertheless, they audit content of other alternative media. Born in such a hegemonic country, many people’s choice was to go aboard, just like me. Never choose to face the problem. However, Ai Weiwei, an ARTivist from China, express his ideas through all kinds of media. Though Ai’s attitude has caused the Chinese government to repress him, he hasn’t changed any of his perspectives. Ai believes that “his existence is a proof of how artists can affect the human condition” and everyone is free to express themselves.
Ai has a vigorously edgy political aesthetic in his art pieces, including performance art. Most of Ai’s artworks expressed his critique and sneer towards the Chinese Government, and that is one of the attention-grabbing element of him in the Western Press. With that being stated, Ai’s place definitely had a remarkable influence on his personality for his further art pieces.
Unlike western media, Chinese media share different aspects of Weiwei’s behavior and artwork. Since Mainland China has censorship toward western social media, many of Weiwei’s artwork cannot be informed and viewed in China. Chinese media captures Weiwei in a totally distinctive way.
Most of Ai’s arts are created after his very own experiences with the Chinese government. As a controversy figure, Ai has been trapped in perhaps too many political and social struggles. Thus, he uses art as a communication tool to connect people who have similar experiences in hopes of being able to make changes to a stubborn nation.
Although some of Ai’s artwork appeared to be controversial and sometimes offensive, he still has the guts to step out and not afraid of being accused of. That is what we are lack of, and that is also the reason I named this article, don’t dream it, be it, using the quote from the ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’.
