Activist art

[MurrayG]

Hi folks. I'm not sure how to talk about this. I need to walk a fine line between activism and art, or, maybe not!
Here on the coast in Croatia, there are many illegal private beaches, in front of us are three. Anyways, while kayaking and landing on one of them from the sea, you can do under the law, I realized, there is a really nice view to paint. Now, the trick is, I have to cart all my stuff on a boat/kayak , land and set up where the "private apartment guests" are sunbaking etc.
These things are illegally built on public land and in the sea.
So, I am aiming to set up on a platform and do some afternoon pleinaire. Then, donate the painting to the inactive local authorities or next best suggestion.
So thete is a risk of having my gear thrown into the sea, then I would get really miffed, but i think I have a kinda duty to draw attention to the wanton destruction of the seaside.

This is kind of a rant to build up my head of steam to do this, as it's no small effort or risk. The apartment owners are already pissed that fingers are being pointed etc.
I thought maybe getting someone to photograph it all, in case it all goes TU.

Anyone done this kinda stuff and any advice?
I stand out a bit like a sore thumb as an Aussie in Croatia, so good intentions and all that but there can be unexpected results.
Any thoughts?

 

[MurrayG]

A small update. Today we kayaked and ended up at one of the " private beaches" where I saw the view to paint. I had a beer while sitting on the beach, but the "owner" complained.l that we should not be there.
We were totally within our rights to be there as legally there are NO private beaches in Croatia and you are able to land on any part of the coast - anywhere (maritime law here).

A short but "interesting" conversation followed and I decided then and there to return to paint!
Anyway, tonite as we were having dinner, something came crashing through the olive trees at our steps. A painting I had given as a birthday present to the same owners had been thrown over the fence!!!!
Fine by me, I have another frame to recycle.

I think I need a journalist to record anything I do down there just in case......
So, things are heating up. Who said Plein Aire was only about catching the light!!

 

[Bongo]

wow. There could be potential for a degree of notoriety and value for plein-air paintings of forbidden views. Having said that I would be careful not to mention any thoughts of selling said paintings, just to keep the focus on the issue at hand - public access to waterways.

Also be on guard for false accusations against you - spreading hazardous chemicals/vapors, voyeurism, blocking egress with equipment, vandalism, littering making threats, public intoxication, etc. - any tactic to cause trouble and keep you out.

And if police are called be respectful and follow their orders, even if they're wrong. You can plead your case in court at a later date.

 

[MurrayG]

Hi Bongo. Really helpful thoughts and I will heed much if what you suggest.

 

[Enyaw]

In my opinion, we don’t need this on an art site.

 

[MurrayG]

In my opinion, we don’t need this on an art site.

Hi Wayne. In one way I agree... Except...I am being prevented by illegal activities to do some of the art I, rightly or wrongly desire to do. Can I also add, is Bansky an activist artist, was Picasso being an activist with Guernica?... Many more examples are possible. So, are we talking art or activism.
Art activism is defined by an artistic process to define a political or social problem.

In that case, if this is an art site, I see it as relevant, I agree though that we should not get bogged down by the message!!

This painting posted earlier depicts a section of coast under threat. The middle point is where I intend to stand and paint. But I will be standing on an illegal sea wall facing into the distance - not looking at the actual illegal construction.

I want to paint a scene I feel is worthy, and records a part of the coast that is recognisable to all living here, but someone wants to build on. It's just that in Croatia and the EU, there are no private beaches under law. But I am being prevented from being an artist by those claiming to have s private beach.

If you were being illegally stopped from doing your art, how would that sit?

 

[Enyaw]

If you were being illegally stopped from doing your art, how would that sit?

.. I would see it as a personal issue but we are all entitled to an opinion. Yours is as valid as mine, just different in personality. Enjoy.

 

[Bongo]

In my opinion, we don’t need this on an art site.

First they came for the Plein Airists and I did not speak out because I was not a Plein Airist... then they came for me..

 

[MurrayG]

I had to think about what Wayne is trying to say. I did not really mean to get stuck in the details of the situation, just explain the circumstances. Basically I see something to paint and try to respond. I really didnt want to get into the politics, but had to give background.
My question remains, and Bongo has suggested a way forward. I am conflicted though on precisely Wayne's point, but I also want to paint to make a statement. It's a deep exploration of motivation, ethics law etc and why I posed it.

Art is art, with all its warts and beauty.
As an "artist" should I just turn a blind eye and find something else to paint?
I intend being as nonconfrontational as possible, reasonable, mindful, but respect my own dignity. I will paint.
I find being an artist difficult enough, and it's the reason I posed this unusual situation, on an art site.

 

[Bongo]

Art is art, with all its warts and beauty.
As an "artist" should I just turn a blind eye and find something else to paint?
I intend being as nonconfrontational as possible, reasonable, mindful, but respect my own dignity. I will paint.
I find being an artist difficult enough, and it's the reason I posed this unusual situation, on an art site.

The problem of private confiscation and restriction of public property is not political - There is no debate, no "two sides".
Being passionate in defense of artistic freedom, and human rights IMO should be within the purview of the forum.

 

[brianvds]

The problem of private confiscation and restriction of public property is not political - There is no debate, no "two sides".
Being passionate in defense of artistic freedom, and human rights IMO should be within the purview of the forum.

Personally I have never been much interested in activist art as such - for me, a work of art has to work as a work of art, first and foremost, irrespective of whether it has some message or not. And indeed, if the art is good, I don't care much what the message is. E.g. I am no commie but I love some of the socialist realist work that came out of the former East Bloc.

Seems to me that in this case it is not so much the art that is activist as the act of painting it in itself, since he's going to do it on contested land. The issue of private beaches is not irrelevant - there is only so much beachfront property on the planet, and thus one can endlessly debate whether some or any of it should ever be private.

It's an issue we grapple with here in South Africa as well: international bazillionaires buy up property on the coast at prices virtually no local person could afford, and then create their own private paradise there. Big issue for people who live there. Me, being a landlubber who hasn't seen the ocean in decades, I'm not so directly involved.

But such issues affect everyone. I live in a country famous for its natural beauty and wildlife - but I cannot afford to visit almost any state-owned nature reserve, let alone any of the many private ones. They almost all charge substantial entry fees, some of them exorbitant (at least from the viewpoint of my own very limited budget). And once again, one can endlessly debate the issue. A bit of activism one way or the other is not necessarily a bad idea, and often a sign of a more or less free country.

 

[Bongo]

Seems to me that in this case it is not so much the art that is activist as the act of painting it in itself, since he's going to do it on contested land.

Exactly.

Murry
I intend being as nonconfrontational as possible, reasonable, mindful, but respect my own dignity. I will paint.

That is the right approach IMO. As a (former) street photographer (re: photography in public spaces) I was always, respectful, reasonable, and nonconfrontational but stood my ground - yet had Police called, false accusations hurled, intimidation, attempts at seizing my property, etc.

Now there is a group that is not as accommodating. - They call themselves "auditors" or "civil rights auditors". They purposefully set up confrontations, act as bullies, and challenge the Police, for no end other than to prove their rights - often choosing the most harmless, innocuous people and places to act up on. (their antics are on YouTube)

“The end cannot justify the means, for the simple and obvious reason that the means employed determine the nature of the ends produced” - Aldous Huxley

My view of Murry's situation is the means being a paintbrush for the ends of making a painting.

 

[Bartc]

I'm mindful of having my hand slapped for posting my opinion of art defacing "activists". It's up to the moderators what's acceptable here re activism.

My view is that you are doing two things: 1) painting a scene that can capture beauty for the long haul; 2) exercising your legal rights (apparently) to visit sites that some would like to close off to their own exclusive use.

As to the latter, we have famous decades long legal cases going on in California relative to the latter issue. And in CA it is illegal to deny reasonable access to the coastline, since it is owned by the public. But one bazillionaire had tried to to exactly that to a beach access that was essentially public all along and it keeps recirculating through the court system. Some simply defy his barriers.

I'm reminded of one thing I absolutely love about the UK: "public" footpaths and bridle paths. I don't know where else the concept exists legally in other countries, but it's one hell of a system. For those unfamiliar, not only cannot a property owner close off access to historically used paths, but that landowner even has to maintain the pathway to some degree. It's amazing and the sites and views are often delicious from a walker, biker, horseperson, and artist's point of view.

 

[MurrayG]

Hi folks. I really am less interested in the "activism", it just happens that where I want to paint, makes a point. I have often painted the same scene from the harbour side, but have never seen this headland from the other side as the public are not welcome. It was only by landing on the "private beach" from the sea, I realized that the scene is something to paint. The fact that by painting there, I achieve the goal of pointing at the illegal operations in a public way, raising attention etc. Basically a cake with a cherry on top.

I happen to be very opposed to these beaches as they really are quite destructive of the sea scape etc, but it is not my aim to be an art activist... if my art actually makes a difference though, I will be happy. I am also quite mindful that doing this is likely to cause some unwanted reactions.