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CREATIVE SYNTHESIS
Title: We can be better
Created by: MENDOZA, Mihaela Mae
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Left: Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937

Right: Banksy, 'Les Mis' Refugee Crisis, 2016

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Art can make us better and more engaged citizens because through art we
can see possibilities and hope. According to Olafur Eliasson (2016), One of the great
challenges today is that we often feel untouched by the problems of others and by
global issues like climate change, even when we could easily do something to help.
We do not feel strongly enough that we are part of a global community, part of a
larger we. Giving people access to data most often leaves them feeling overwhelmed
and disconnected, not empowered and poised for action. This is where art can make a
difference. Art does not show people what to do yet engaging with a good work of art
can connect you to your senses, body, and mind. It can make the world felt. And this
felt feeling may spur thinking, engagement, and even action.

Just like the 2 artwork that I choose made by Picasso and Bansky, the two
artworks are one of the artwork listed that changes the world. The art on the left side
reflects a world that has been changed for the worst, an innocence that can never be
reclaimed. War permanently altered the world and mankind which this painting
shows. The horrors to humanity highlighted a constant threat upon the world and
civilian tragedies that changed the world. While the painting on the right was inspired
by the musical Les Misérables, the image depicts a tearful young girl being engulfed
by CS gas fumes leaking from a can below. A QR code besides the work links to an
online video of French police forcefully clearing a section of the camp on January 5. It
is believed to be Banksy’s first interactive work.
 For me this artwork makes me more engage citizen in a way that it open my
eyes on how I can relate that painting to our current situation not just in our country
but the whole world because I believe we are not the only country who experience
problem with our government. This art makes me realize that through arts we can
express our emotion through painting, and we can get the changes that we really
deserve. Specially during this kind of pandemic may Filipinos family is experiencing
some challenges with regards to their financial and emotional status, we are not just
facing a war wherein we can see our enemies but now we are facing some challenges
wherein we cannot see our enemy. This painting gave me hope that we can
overcome everything.
For me, an art is not just a piece of work to attract people but for me there is
always a hidden message and a purpose why an art or any painting was made.
Some may want to inspire; some wants to share their thought but most of the time
arts are made to showcase a message and to engaged to all the people who can see
their work. Art is a way where in people can talk without the dialogue itself but using
those messages that they want to show.

Sources:

Strickson,M. (2016). Ten paintings that changed the world. https://www.voicemag.uk/feature/885/ten-paintings-

that-changed-the-world?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=ff2cb1bb61f84ea458b98654609eedc2d91ac5d2-1623493455-0-AS31qt4GY-
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NtcJPPmjW

10 Facts About Guernica by Pablo Picasso. (n.d.). Pablo Picasso Paintings, Quotes, & Biography. Retrieved June 12, 2021,

from https://www.pablopicasso.org/guernica.jsp

Neuendorf, H. (2020, July 27). Banksy’s First Interactive Work Criticizes Police Violence Against Refugees. Artnet

News. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/banksy-criticizes-teargas-refugee-calais-413129

Strickson, M. (2016, January 18). Why art has the power to change the world. World Economic

Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/why-art-has-the-power-to-change-the-

world/

FEEDBACK:
This is a well thought out narrative, kindly include:
What concrete way did this artwork make you a more engaged citizen, in what way
did it influence your awareness or engagement in a particular social issue we
confront?