Art in wartime

Artwork: Catala (2023) by Sami Basbous

Art in wartime is a fascinating topic that has many aspects and perspectives. Art often reflects the unique challenges, emotions, and experiences that arise in special circumstances. Wartime art can encompass a wide range of forms, from visual arts like painting and sculpture to literature, music, film, and more. Here are some key points about art in war time:

1. Expression of Emotions: Wartime art often serves as a powerful outlet for expressing the emotions and experiences of those directly involved in or affected by the conflict. Artists use their creative skills to convey feelings of fear, grief, patriotism, anger, hope, and resilience.
2. Witness to History: Wartime art can act as a historical record, documenting the realities of war that might not be captured in official accounts. It provides a unique perspective on the human side of conflict, offering insights into the lives of soldiers, civilians, refugees, and others impacted by war.
3. Protest and Critique: Some wartime art serves as a form of protest or critique against the causes and consequences of war. Artists may use their work to question political decisions, highlight injustices, and call for peace.
4. Propaganda and Patriotism: Governments and military organizations often use art as a tool for propaganda during war time. Posters, paintings, and other visual media are created to promote patriotism, boost morale, and encourage support for the war effort.
5. Healing and Catharsis: Creating art can be a therapeutic process for individuals who have experienced the trauma of war. It allows them to cope with their emotions, find a sense of catharsis, and share their stories.
6. Resistance and Subversion: In situations of oppression, artists may use their work to resist and subvert the dominant narrative. This can be a way to maintain a sense of identity and agency in the face of adversity.
7. Collaboration and Community: War time art can foster a sense of community and solidarity among artists and their audiences. It can provide a space for shared experiences and a platform for voices that might otherwise be silenced.
8. Legacy and Remembrance: Wartime art can leave a lasting legacy, reminding future generations of the sacrifices and struggles of those who lived through conflict. It can contribute to collective memory and historical understanding.
9. Destruction and Preservation: Art and cultural heritage are often at risk during times of war due to physical damage, theft, or intentional destruction. However, efforts are made to protect and preserve art as part of humanity's cultural heritage.
10. Post-War Reflection: After the conflict ends, war time art can play a role in the process of reflection, reconciliation, and healing. It provides a platform for societies to come to terms with the past and work toward a more peaceful future.

Here are some examples of art in war time from different periods and regions:

• Francisco Goya’s “The Disasters of War” (1810-20) is a series of 80 prints that show the brutality and violence of the Napoleonic Wars in Spain. Goya witnessed the atrocities firsthand and used his art to expose the cruelty and madness of war. He did not favor any side but showed the suffering of all people involved. One of his prints, titled “This is what you were born for,” shows a man vomiting at the sight of heaped corpses1.
• During the First World War, many artists served as official war artists who were commissioned to record the events and scenes of the war. Some of them, such as Paul Nash and Otto Dix, painted realistic and disturbing images of the trenches, the battles, and the wounded soldiers. They wanted to show the public the truth about the war and its devastating effects. Other artists, such as Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich, turned to abstraction and geometric forms to express their emotions and visions in a chaotic time. In addition to the poetry of World War I poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, who captured the grim realities of trench warfare.
• Pablo Picasso's "Guernica," which depicts the horrors of the Spanish Civil War, between WWI and WWII.
• In the Second World War, art was used as a powerful tool of propaganda by both the Allies and the Axis powers. Posters, cartoons, films, and songs were created to influence public opinion, morale, and behavior. Some artists also used art to resist and defy the Nazi regime, such as the members of the White Rose group in Germany who distributed anti-Nazi leaflets with illustrations. Some artists who were persecuted or imprisoned by the Nazis also created art in secret, such as Charlotte Salomon who painted over 700 autobiographical gouaches in a French camp before she was deported to Auschwitz.
• During the Vietnam War, many artists protested against the war and supported the anti-war movement. They used various media and techniques to express their views and feelings, such as collage, performance, graffiti, photography, and sculpture. Some examples are Robert Rauschenberg’s “Signs” (1970), which combines images of celebrities, politicians, soldiers, and protesters; Yoko Ono’s “Bed-In” (1969), which was a public demonstration of peace with John Lennon; and Maya Lin’s “Vietnam Veterans Memorial” (1982), which is a minimalist wall inscribed with the names of the American soldiers who died or went missing in the war.

In summary, war time art is a multifaceted and often poignant form of expression that reflects the complexities of human experiences during times of conflict. It serves as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and capacity for empathy that persist even in the darkest of times.