Activist Art
Perhaps the best example of "activist" or "propaganda" art is the propaganda of our very own. Though the concept of a fictional "Uncle Sam" had been around since the 1850s, the Uncle Sam pictured above did not make his appearance until 1917, in order to drum up recruitment for World War I. The image itself is simple. It is a call to arms, directed at the healthy young men of fighting age. This image, and all subsequent Uncle Sam images, basically employed the same pointed finger pose, in a very clear message that he wants YOU.
This supports the social order of the time, that if your country calls on you, you answer with no hesitation. Patriotism was pushed in this time, because a country who is passionate will have no shortage of able bodies ready to defend it. The conventionalized image of the elder calling on the younger is powerful, in that is speaks to a sense of responsibility to those who can defend their country. The use of red, white and blue also lends power to the symbolic American call of duty. At that time, it was considered a privilege to defend your country and this poster seems to make it an honor that you would be so lucky as to have Uncle Sam call on you.
No comments:
Post a Comment