Intenzivní kurzy - Jaro 2025
AJL17097/AJL27105: Poster Art: A Visual Journey Through American History
Paul Von Blum (University of California, Los Angeles)
Schedule (all blocks in G33):
March 24 (Monday) - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
March 25 (Tuesday) - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
March 26 (Wednesday) - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
March 27 (Thursday) - 10.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 16.00
General Description: The political poster has proved to be a particularly effective visual medium of expression. It is both a work of art and a notice to the public. Usually intended for mass reproduction, the poster is often hurried because of the immediacy of a specific cause. Often, the poster combines a verbal message with visual stimuli designed to attract viewers. A poster’s political impact often depends on efficient and inexpensive reproduction that will swiftly disseminate the work’s major themes and ideas.
From the nineteenth century to the present, political posters have played a vital role in calling public attention to social injustice and to organizing political opposition and resistance. This course will explore various major issues where posters have played powerful roles as well as looking at selected examples from prominent contemporary posters artist and some brief examples from Cuba and Canada. The Instructor has taught and published widely about this topic and has a longtime relationship with the Center for the Study of Political Graphics in Los Angeles, an archive of over 90,000 human rights and protest posters.
Specific Course Units:
The Labor Movement:
Labor struggles are among the one of the major features of social protest movements in U.S. history. Throughout those struggles, an abundance of poster art has been produced, both by well-known artists and by rank and file union members deeply committed to the cause of working women and men. Many vibrant examples will be shown and discussed. These works include efforts from the Industrial Workers of the World, AFL-CIO, the United Farm Workers, and many others.
Racism and Civil Rights:
Race and racism are central features of American history. There are thousands of posters on civil rights and resistance to racist practices. Many powerful examples of this tradition will be featured in this segment of the class. They will come from the early struggles of the movement, the classic events of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s through the 1970s, and the Black Power and Black Lives Matter Movements, among others.
Feminism and Sexism
Like racism, structural sexual discrimination is another regrettable feature of American history. This unit will feature posters from the suffragettes and the difficult struggle for women to get the right to vote, the various waves of feminism, especially the efforts from the sixties, the Me Too Movement, addressing sexual harassment and violence and assorted other feminist issues including workplace equity, and especially contemporary issues like reproductive freedom in the wake of the repeal of the constitutional right to abortion in the United States.
Student Movements and Rebellion
Especially during the era of 1960s agitation, student movements proliferated across America, along with vibrant and often provocative poster art. Several examples will be included, from the University of California Berkeley Free Speech Movement of 1964, the Columbia University events of 1968, and others, including the 2024 student protest about genocide in Gaza.
Anti-War Protests
Throughout U.S. history, several wars have met with major public opposition. Posters from anti-Vietnam War rallies and resistance movements will be highlighted in this segment; they were often remarkable both for their power and for their artistic quality. Posters opposing American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will also be shown and discussed.
Other Protest Movements
Owing to the time constraints of the course, selected posters from animal rights activists, environmental groups, disability activists, indigenous protestors, death penalty opponents, and others will be shown and discussed.
Cuban and Canadian Posters
Cuba has produced hundreds of vibrant and colorful political posters since the Revolution. A small sample will be shown Canada likewise has produced memorable political posters. Various examples, including those from veteran Toronto political artist Jesse Purcell will be shown.
Special feature
Several prominent American visual artists have also contributed outstanding political posters during their careers. A few examples of their efforts will be shown. They include the following: Doug Minkler; Sheila Pinkel; Art Hazelwood; Mariona Barkus; Barbara Kruger; Shepard Fairey; and Robbie Conal.
Course Format
This course will be taught using digital slides, but as in previous classes taught by the instructor, vigorous and regular discussion from students will be the norm.
Course Requirements 1. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to be present for all the sessions, on time, and above all, to actively participate in class discussions. 2. ASSIGNMENTS FOR CLASSES: There are no readings or assignments to complete between class sessions throughout the week. 3. FINAL PAPER: This will be specified in greater detail once the course begins. Students will choose any topic relevant to the discussed course themes and submit a 3 double-spaced page essay by the end of the semester. Details will be announced in class.