Speechless (Shirin Neshat)

   “Speechless” is a young woman’s work of art to speak up about her own culture and the homeland that she had been banished from for eleven years. Artist Shirin Neshat realized that Iran was changing dramatically and quickly becoming a much more traditional and strict Islamic culture (Müller). Mainly through photographs and short videos, she has been determined to show different aspects of her life and her culture. She returned for a visit to Iran after the 1990 revolution which sparked her passion for taking photos of the events and soon turned to a more artistic approach. Once she was back in the U.S., she quickly started a series of works called “Women of Allah” (Müller).

With “Speechless” and several other similar pieces such as “Rebellious Silence” she was able to put a visual characteristic to the prohibition of women rights. In “Speechless” unlike most artists Shirin has brought art to life in photographs and video, not paintings, capturing real women and real emotion. Clearly visible, the barrel of a gun is sticking out from a female's head dress and calligraphic text is scrolling across her face contrasting how women cannot express themselves without having to worry about being punished or even executed. With this work of art and all of Shirin Neshat’s work, she has spoken out and let the world know how women feel about being oppressed and being restricted in their daily lives. Her government will never be able to stop her speaking out now and she has shown that she can resist through passion and art.

“Speechless” is a young woman’s work of art to speak up about her own culture and the homeland that she had been banished from for eleven years. Artist Shirin Neshat realized that Iran was changing dramatically and quickly becoming a much more traditional and strict Islamic culture (Müller). Mainly through photographs and short videos, she has been determined to show different aspects of her life and her culture. She returned for a visit to Iran after the 1990 revolution in which sparked her passion for taking photos of the events and soon turned to a more artistic approach. Once she was back in the U.S., she quickly started a series of works called “Women of Allah” (Müller).

With “Speechless” and several other similar pieces such as “Rebellious Silence” she was able to put a visual characteristic to the prohibition of women rights. In “Speechless” unlike most artist Shirin has brought art to life in photographs and video, not paintings, capturing real women and real emotion. Clearly visible, the barrel of a gun is sticking out from a females head dress and calligraphic text is scrolling across her face contrasting how women cannot express themselves without having to worry about being punished or even executed. With this work of art and all of Shirin Neshat’s work, she has spoken out and let the world now how women feel about being oppressed and being restricted in their daily lives. Her government will never be able to stop her speaking out now and she has shown that she can resist through passion and art.

Speechless, Away Over Seas, Katrin Bettina Müller 

http://www.culturebase.net/artist.php?122

Liberty Leading the People (Eugene Delacroix)

Captured in “Liberty Leading the People” is the power and might of a united people under the oppression of an unjust leader during The Paris Uprising of July 27, 28, and 29^th of 1830. Artist Eugene Delacroix witnessed this historical event and realized it was destined to be the painting of romantic passion and excitement that happened that day. When the people realized that king Charles X had violated their constitutional rights, they decided to rise up and overthrow him for the good of their country. Delacroix tried extremely hard to put in the strong emotions that were felt throughout Paris and the community.

In this colorful painting of the battlefield, it’s very obvious what is going on and how the people feel. It appears very heroic as everyone charges in through the smoke and the fire led by a nameless woman who is represented as to symbolize France’s liberty. The character “Liberty” seems to be a very robust and a strong woman wearing a classically styled dress. Her dress has slipped down below her breast, revealing her body and armpit hair, which other artists considered vulgar. Delacroix intended this to show the realism and the true nature of the event and to show the strong outlines of her body as she waves the men on to freedom. She is not the only character who represents the culture; several men in the background are wearing clothes which are commonly worn by workers and students such as the youthful boy wearing a black beret (students attire) and brandishing two pistols running forward or the man to Liberty’s left with a rifle and sabre, his clothes represent the working force. Not just one person is captured in standing up, but all of France, who were united on this day to stop the oppression and end the rule of their tyrant.

Liberty Leading the People, A Patriotic Act,  Malika Bouabdellah Dorbani,

 http://www.louvre.fr/llv/oeuvres/detail_notice.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673237674&CURRENT_LLV_NOTICE%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673237674&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723696500815&baseIndex=2&bmLocale=en

Uprising (Muse)

   In 2009 the alternative rock band “Muse” released this first single from their new album “The Resistance”. The song remained at the #1 position of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart for 17 weeks and was awarded with Best Single of 2010 (Uprising). As the album's name states many of the songs revolved around power and taking control. In the specific song “Uprising”, it truly captures the feeling of resistance. With a darker feel and a low guitar riff, the song brings things up such as “They will not control us, We will be victorious!”. It really gives an idea that they will no longer be oppressed by the corrupted government and will stand up, or as in the song, “Rise up and take the power back, It’s time the fat cats had a heart attack”. Other than just resistance and rebelling, the songs about justice and liberty with your country and your people and that you’ll be able to come together as a whole body striving towards one goal, “You know that their time’s coming to an end, We have to unify and watch our flag ascend”. Together the united people will begin a resistance.

The Resistance: Uprising, Muse,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uprising_%28song%29