This is What I Know About Art, by Kimberly Drew shares a few significant themes with some of the previous works we have covered thus far. Through her autobiographical story, Drew demonstrates how important belief, art, and activism is. Like Susan Sontag's excerpt from, On Photography, we are invited to see how influential art can be as a form of expression. Drews experience is one of many who is significantly impacted by the story and power found in art that has become activism. A photo, a blog, art, all things that can express one's values and beliefs- so simple, so extreme-all making a statement on society.
Susan Sontag's excerpt from On photography explores how photos, as a form of art, have been and continue to be a form of activism. She argues that every image is powerful and meaningful not only to the creator but also to the audience. In the third paragraph, she writes, "To photograph is to appropriate the thing photographed. It means putting oneself into a certain relation to the world that feels like knowledge -- and, therefore, like power." As Sontag later discussed, photographs are different ways to view the world from other moments in time. In each moment, each photo has value and carries a message. Whether or not the next person interprets the "correct" message is not as important as the freedom, comfort, and strength the creator of it felt in the artistic moment. Sontag also writes, "Although there is a sense in which the camera does indeed capture reality, not just interpret it, photographs are as much an interpretation of the world as paintings and drawings are." Sontag suggests yet another quality that photos bring to the world, interpretation, whereas Kimberly Drew, in her book, would say is where some of art power comes from.
Kimberly Drew exemplifies power when she discusses the months in 2014 when police brutality became overwhelming within society. She shares that photography became an outlet for many as she writes, "In the days following the deaths, images by photographers and other witnesses began to define a resurfacing justice movement for Black victims of police brutality" (48). She encouraged and participated in expression through her blog that many of her peers and strangers participated in. She writes, "On December 5, 2014 I posted a call for art in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement...the page...was developed as a space for collective healing and mourning" (Drew 50). Drew demonstrates that art - verbal or not- had become an important way to share people's voices all over. These voices became a way for everyone to express themselves, and as Sontag suggests, allows one to share their knowledge. Every participant in Drews's blog had a chance to share their voice and their opinion in a time where hopelessness was intense, and support was needed for Black Lives. In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Drew encouraged people to open up and heal together.
The previously shared quotes from Drew's novel significantly stuck out to me as I discovered how important Drews's blog became. The blog, created by a college student, became a sentimental time platform for Americans. Each post, comment, reblog is now a token of the past. Every piece of art is truth and a part of our nation's history. The blog became a platform of activism, and as a young person in such a big world, there is power in knowing that my voice, writing, photos, painting, and effort could make a huge difference. In the conclusion of This is What I Know About Art, Drew writes, "activism is a collective action and an investment in the lives of other people" (Drew 61). The collection of pieces on Drew's page became a place where anyone could find peace and power as a community of people who support the movement.
Considering Kimberly Drews's novel, This is What I Know About Art, I can use my social media as a form of activism. Both Sontag and Drew's work exemplifies the practical value that my photos and writing can mark my time within society. As a young woman in America, I can try to address many topics, big and small. There are many ways I can incorporate social media to reach out to others who might agree or disagree with some of my feelings. If there is one thing I've learned so far, my works can not be taken away from me; they are simply my interpretations. People worldwide might have just as much to say as I do, and with each comment, share or suggestion, we can use social media as a platform to document our experiences together.
The following are examples of ways in which 2020 has allowed social media to be a powerful platform of expression. Each hashtag brings people from around the world together with one touch of a button! #BLACKLIVESMATTER AND #JUSTICEFORGEORGEFLOYD on instagram results
Drew, K. (2020). This is What I know about Art.
Sontag, S. (2008). On photography. London: Penguin Books.
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