Robles, Gissel (Blog Post 2)

Question: Has the evolution of digital art/graphics dimmed the power of message(s) activists try to put forth or has it possibly done the opposite, and increased the distribution?

In “The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now” Claudia Zapata constructs a well written piece in which she explains the evolution of digital graphics and it’s impact amongst Chicanx artists and their activism. Zapata explains that the use of digital graphics has actually been advantageous for the spread of Chicanx advocacy by displaying new opportunities. A great example is Barbara Carrasco’s Pesticides!, the last sequence to her animated series that essentially advocated and brought awareness for agriculture and it’s dangers. During the same time, the United Farm Workers were undergoing the Wrath of Grapes Boycott, and with the display on the speculator light-board in New York’s Time Square for everyone to see, this method spread the message far more. Although the algorithmic oppression might negatively derail the spread of messages because it’s been described to have “embedded biases in automated decision-making systems” (Zapata 150), digital graphics has offered more advantages than before. When Web 2.0 was created, it brought forth a faster distribution process than prior times did, “For Chicanx artists, this electronic pipeline allows them to promote socially conscious art that creates a shareable database for political zeitgeist, speaks to immediate and contemporary moments, and acts as a form of advocacy and pedagogy” (Zapata 138). Social movements have gained tremendous momentum, and during these unprecedented times, it created one of the largest nation-wide protests to occur, and although the movement Black Lives Matter is not new, social media has helped shed light upon it, and spread the message out. Oree Originol, the creator of Justice for Our Lives and artist who works on portraits of individuals who were wrongfully killed by police is a great illustration of exhibiting digital art whilst being an advocate and enforcing action amongst people on social media where in most cases, art is now distributed through. All in all, the evolution of digital arts has been an immense support for Chicanx artists even with its flaws that need fixing.