Ai Weiwei would definitely count! In reality all western contemporary art, and to a more limited extent also contemporary art made artists in other regions of the globe, is political art. Political art here doesn't mean art related to the institutions of politics, as sometimes it is assumed in some circles. All art that raises questions about how we relate to each other in our societies is inherently political. (We are reminded that the etymology of politics is the Greek polis, the city-state in the Ancient Greece.)
So I could provide you with countless examples of political art/artists, from Claudia Andujar, to Trevor Paglen, to Forensic Architecture, to name just a few that influenced me the most – And I am sure you are familiar with true superstars such as Banksy, don't you? But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there is a galaxy of artists doing politically engaged art. Some of the most recurring themes nowadays are: gender politics, power, and sustainability.
Before leaving, as you mentioned the Ask HN re alternative career paths, I will take this opportunity to tell you that I am a (concerned) cybersecurity technologist by background with 20+ years of professional experience, who has approached, at mid-career, the arts as a way to distill my thoughts and raise questions about the world and time we live in. Some of the societal challenges related to my professional career form one the main thematic areas for my oeuvre. In my practice, I examine the aesthetics and politics of surveillance, traumatic memory, and sustainability. I will leave you below a few links:
Thank you so much for all your wisdom and knowledge Alfonso! So nice to learn about your work! I'll be treasuring deeply all that you've shared with me. Perhaps one day I'll have my essays published and I can show you if you're open :)
Sam, please do it! I am always eager to learn more; I will be happy to hear from you, and I thank you for the opportunity to exchange a few ideas here on HN. Wishing you all the best with your personal and intellectual life. – Alfonso
Ai Weiwei would definitely count! In reality all western contemporary art, and to a more limited extent also contemporary art made artists in other regions of the globe, is political art. Political art here doesn't mean art related to the institutions of politics, as sometimes it is assumed in some circles. All art that raises questions about how we relate to each other in our societies is inherently political. (We are reminded that the etymology of politics is the Greek polis, the city-state in the Ancient Greece.)
So I could provide you with countless examples of political art/artists, from Claudia Andujar, to Trevor Paglen, to Forensic Architecture, to name just a few that influenced me the most – And I am sure you are familiar with true superstars such as Banksy, don't you? But this is just the tip of the iceberg; there is a galaxy of artists doing politically engaged art. Some of the most recurring themes nowadays are: gender politics, power, and sustainability.
Before leaving, as you mentioned the Ask HN re alternative career paths, I will take this opportunity to tell you that I am a (concerned) cybersecurity technologist by background with 20+ years of professional experience, who has approached, at mid-career, the arts as a way to distill my thoughts and raise questions about the world and time we live in. Some of the societal challenges related to my professional career form one the main thematic areas for my oeuvre. In my practice, I examine the aesthetics and politics of surveillance, traumatic memory, and sustainability. I will leave you below a few links:
* LI: https://it.linkedin.com/in/alfonsodegregorio * Artist practice website (to be updated): https://www.escapingphotons.com * Latest body of work: https://phmuseum.com/adg/story/retained-reports-1b29a4727a