Keep in mind that propaganda is never objective; it is always subjective. It forces the viewer to adjust his or her perception in order to make a decision about the value and meaning of a of a particular point of view. In your post you will answers the questions listed in the "Art and Proganda Project" handout you received in class. Please make sure to comment on at least one other student's post.
23 comments:
I was absent for this class.
"PROPAGANDA"
The picture i seen in class today expresses the way the author or artist feels. My strongest impression was the whip the guy in the drawing has in his hands and the meaning of the colors. Hitler used those adjectives to describe people that weren't german but jews his way of expressing himself towards jews he seen them as trashy and good for nothing. I would have stayed with the art to show people in the world in a way it would be bad to keep but in a way good couse the world id knowing about history
I do think that “a picture is worth a thousand words,” to some extent at least because pictures can really bring a point to life and make it “true” regardless of its actual viability as an idea. I think that pictures and words have the same effect on me- depending on the specific situations in which each are used. Working together I think is when they are the most powerful. I think that Hitler used the word degenerate, as it was the antithesis of his goal for Germany. He wanted to build Germany up to its former glory and beyond, so degenerate really stands against everything that he did. I think with the word decadence it is important to consider its duel meanings of degeneration as well as un-restrained self-indulgence. The addition of this meaning, which is akin to “greedy,” also perfectly sums up what he was trying to say about the people who made this art. In these ways, they were the perfect words to describe something that would be “unGerman” to Hitler.
Personally, I would have kept a lot of the art to teach the dangers of propaganda and as a warning for future generations to never let something like this happen again. I probably would have destroyed most of it though to symbolize the absolute destruction of the Third Reich, and to make sure that it could not be taken and “worshipped” by remaining Nazis and Nazi-sympathizers.
Sanjiv Banavali
I do believe that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Pictures can have multiple interpretations depending on what you see, while some words don't have multiple interpretations or meanings. For me I think pictures have stronger impressions on me because I can interpret the picture any way that I want. When Hitler used the words degenerate and decadent to describe art he considered unGerman I thought tha he said it when the art was going against his political views. Any art that went against him or the "superior Arayn race" would be considered evil or corrupt.
I would do the same thing that John would do, keep the Nazi propaganda and inform everybody of what the Nazi's did and how brilliant they were,and how they went about convincing people that the Arayn race was superior than anyother race.
Pictures are able to convey more emotion than words can, to more people, more quickly. I think that the advantage to picture propaganda is that anyone who can see can understand at least the basic concepts that are presented. For me I think that pictures make a stronger impression on me because an image tends to get stuck in my mind more easily than words. Hitler wanted to portray art as art used to be, he wanted to keep the dignity that went with art in the previous centuries. He wants art to only show the German people as a beautiful and pure people.
I agree with Jon that it would be a good idea to keep the propaganda and the art to teach people in the future about the dangers of propaganda. I would not want it destroyed, however I do realize that it would be dangerous to have it around especially as the Nazis were losing power.
i was absent.
This picture does say a thousand words. Pictures can have more meaning than words,because you can see them. Words leave space for the imagination where as pictures leave less to the imagination. Pictures dont lie.The detail in the photo said alot about for example the color yellow in the background represents the jews. I feel that Hitler described "unGerman" art a certain way because he was threatend by it. As seen throughout history anything that was different was put down.
In the NAZI Propaganda film, it spoke of the easy time that the NAZI's had coming to power. Hitler was sadistically brilliant with "bringing in" the Dr.'s first for propaganda purposes. This made the NAZI clan look more intelligent. The NAZI's main goal was to eliminate the degenerates pretaining to art. At one point, Mr. Gallagher asked why Hitler was able to do what he did. I can answer this question from watching the film by stating that Hitler came right out and demanded obedience. After watching this film, it became more clear to me on how obsessed Hitler was with the theroy of survival of the fittest when I watched the filmed "bug battles". One of the most important messages the film made was about the controversy that was portrayed throughout the NAZI era.
I do agree with Alison Shea about pictures being able to convey more reliably than words. There are times when I would want to say something and in my head it sounded perfect. But when it was all said and done, it didn't sound half as much as what I would have liked it to have been. However, if I had either drawn a picture of what I meant to say or written it down, then it would have made more sense.
in response to Rory's comment i disagree slightly because people in panic look for guidance and someone to blame and Hitler provided both he saw that the country was vulnerable and he exploited that and by creating ludicrous laws he was able to force people to conform into what he wanted
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Yes i definintly do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures allow more than just one emotion form inside you. Unlike words, they don't carry their own definition, it's what you make it out to be. In my opinion words make a stronger impression on me personally because the order in which they are arranged can be very powerful. And despite not having an image to look upon, one can create their own image with their use of imagination for the words.
Evil and corruption is the guidelines in which Hitler followed to gain power. Decaying and rotting is what resembles the Jews. Using these adjectives to form art for Hitler was what suited him best.
I would have saved the art and used it in a exhibition to represent a different style and technique of art during the time of WWII.
Its amazing to me the way a picture can make such strong point with no words. I do think that a picture is worth a thousand words because, like John said, it can make something true in the given picture. Some pictures can just really resonate with certain people more than the most powerful lecture in the world. I think that working side-by-side with those pictures, it was easy for Hitler to manipulate any idea that he was trying to get across to whoever was listening. The words decadent and degenerate are very powerful words and many of the pictures tried to portray that idea in whoever the picture was of. Finally, I think it was important for us to keep works like that around today to study and learn from them. We should be wise enough not to fall for the same schemes that were pulled in the late 1930s.
I think that hitler used these words to describe unGerman art because he wanted the german people to agree with his philosophy of racial purity and antisemitism. By condemning art that was different Hitler wanted to create a society in which being different was not socially acceptable. I think that by using art Hitler was able to connect with many more people. By not directly stating what he wanted he allowed people to slowly form what they thought were their own views, something that words could never have done.
I really agree with what sanjiv said, I defiantly think that words do not have as profound of an impact as pictures do
"propaganda"
Yes, based on the pictures I have seen in class today, especially the picturecalled "the Eternal Jew", I believe they are all worth a thousand words. In class we had a discussion about "the Eternal Jew" picture for a while. What pictures do is leaves it open for other to interpret what they think is the meaning of the work of art. Words are straight to the point, there is not much room for many to be able to give in their input becuase it is already done by the words. A picture will last a longer in my mind than words will. I will remember that image and the connections the class made about the symbols in the drawing than I would if Mr. Gallagher had given us a lecture about it. It was pretty clear how strongly Hitler felt about art he considered "unGerman". By using words like "evil" or ""corrupt" such strong words with a very strong negative connotation leaves no room for discussion of how Hitler truly feels.
I would have kept the art work that glorified the Nazis. it is important to see both sides of the story when trying to understand History. I would have kept the drawing not to glorify the Nazis, for others to really understand them, and how they targeted a group of people and were able to tragically kill many of them.
I agree with Allison in that "a picture can convey more emotion than words can, to more people, more quickly". Rather than get rid of the Nazi drawings, a lot more would benefit from them if they were kept.
Art, especially in the form of propaganda, is so effective, because it is able to evoke emotions that words alone cannot. to read or hear about an incident or people creates a reliance on description to convey a point or image, but instead showing an image that has strong suggestions and connotations, even subversive, is more direct and poignant, as well as easier to access by those who can't read or have limited vocabularies. By classifying Jewish art as degenerate in addition to "un-German," Hitler was implying then that everything that is the opposite is what defines "German." I agree with Sara that, although the art is hurtful and prejudice and antisemetic, and might still have had a "brain-washing" effect on people, it is still important to display the art as a warning, in the sense that it can serve as a reminder of what evil can look like in its germination. Despite knowledge after the fact about how terrible an empire Hitler was cultivating, the propaganda of the time was viewed simply as patriotism, similar to American patriotism or that of almost any country, and along with Hitler's promise to restore Germnay to its former power and save the country from ruin, the propaganda appeared much more innocent to the people of the time, within Germany and wihtout.
I truly believe that the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is completely true. There is always more to consider than what we see on the surface, particularly when we consider the intentions, or the message looking to be conveyed, in an image. It is when we are able to make a connection to the underlying themes in art when we truly appreciate the significance of it. I believe that Hitler used the word "degenerate" to essentially tag the Jews with the definition of the word. Thoughts such as "washed-up," and "scum," come to mind when this word comes up.
I would also personally keep the art because it serves as such a good example of the dangers of propaganda. By showing these works to the future generations, we will ensure that we instill good values and give a foundation on the horrors of this time period.
I think a picture is worth a thousand words to an extent because some pictures may only have one true meaning while others leave it up to you to decide what they are trying to say. I would keep the art like Jon to teach a lesson of what propaganda can do in a negative way.
Pictures can convey a distinct image. This distinct image can be of very negative meaning and be associated with a particular group of people. Therefore, linking that particular group of people with a very negative meaning. For me personally pictures have a stronger impression on me. For example when I was first leaning about the Holocaust and people would describe it to be I thought it was bad. When I saw pictures of the Holocaust I was mortified and I understood really how bad it was. Hitler used those specific adjective to describe art the was "unGerman" because those adjectives can not be twisted into anything pleasant. He wants to get the message across that unGerman art is not acceptable and by using those adjectives he was successful. I would keep that art that glorified the Nazis because destroying it would be destroying a part of history that must never be forgotten. If I were to display the art I would make sure that it was extremely clear this was propaganda.
Asher,
I completely agree with you that pictures don’t leave as much room for imagination. Pictures convey exactly what the artist wants you to see in you mind. In the Nazi’s case they wanted to make sure all Germans could identify a Jew and the flaws they believe them to have.
So, just disregard my first comment because I indeed WAS here for this assignment.
I think pictures are worth a thousand words, especially when theyre used purposely to produce a feeling or, in this case, spread manipulating propaganda. Art in general has the unique ability to explain what words cannot and to make everything more personal- words have definitions attached to them that everyone associated with; in art, people have the complete freedom to create their own definitions of what they see and to react to them in the way they personally choose to. I think words are powerful as well, but for the use of propaganda, I think art makes everyone more vulnerable to being manipulated or swaying into believing something.
I think Hitler used such as degenerate to describe unGerman art because he knew that he was held in such high respect from his country; he was very aware that he had the power to make people agree with him just by declaring something with no real evidence. I agree with Jon- he didn't want the art to be associated with his idea of Germany, so he made it seem inferior to all other art.
I would have kept as much of the art as possible despite how it glorified the Nazi regime- I think that gives it even more of a reason to be kept because it demonstrates exactly what was used to evoke thought in the German masses.
I do believe a picture is worth a thousand words. Because picture can show a point of view that words cannot.For me images are stronger than words. I would have kept most of the art as a warning to the future on how propaganda is so easily transfered to the people.
I think humans in general rely a lot on what they see. Pictures definitely trigger something in us, and for some reason it is more believable when we see things for ourself. Unfortunately, propoganda takes advantage of this human inclination and puts slightly altered and non-factual elements into art. Therefore we must remember that art is a form of expression and not a means to judge and determine the fate of an entire race. I think these films, for me, has really made me understand to a small degree how my ancestors felt. I can not imagine having what seems like the entire world view you in such a hateful and accusing way. It makes me wonder how I would feel if everyone thought I was evil when I had no intentions of harming anyone or anything.
In general, I believe preserving as much factual information and primary sources is important and the Nazi art has its valid place in history. However, I don't think it should be displayed without its counterpart, the Jewish peoples' views on the war, and none of their relics or art is left from that time period. If we just put up Nazi Art there will be no representation of the Jewish people and that is extremely unfortunate and poses a slightly biased situation. However, these documentaries are doing their share to portray the angst and suffering Jewish people underwent.
the pictures seen in class where very cruel once i depicted what was going on in them. It was cruel of hitler to come up with these pictures to change peoples minds but at the same time it was genius. Thus im saying that a picture does say a thousand words because a picture can be read as what ever the person looking at it thinks.
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