Thanks for commenting. In response to your first issue, I wasn’t criticizing–or didn’t mean to criticize–Jordan for his lack of proof about art raising social awareness. I was trying to respond to Jordan’s belief that his art WASN’T raising social awareness (evident in his quote) by positing a few reasons why: the contemporary art audience doesn’t suffer from a lack of awareness, Jordan’s choices of issues are both obvious and somewhat contradictory, and art may not have that much impact on awareness in general. You’re absolutely right that I have no evidence for that last item–I was simply musing on possible explanations.

You’re also right on point two…art designed to “raise awareness” has a tendency to raise my hackles. That’s not true in every case, but certainly in Jordan’s, which I consider a somewhat sloppy approach to politics that inadvertently exposes contemporary debate for the shallow theatrical show that it is. That said, I do think Jordan’s work is sort of interesting, and sort of pretty…

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I don’t necessary disagree with your assertions about Chris Jordan and the tendency in certain social circles to play at charity or awareness. However, I am left with two impressions of this post.

1st, You criticize Jordan for having no proof that art raises social awareness. There is a large body of literature out there on this topic. But then you turn around and make assertions about the foundations of social activism and Jordan’s bandwagon jumping? Perhaps Jordan’s work is necessary in fueling the fire so to speak in these movements… I’m not sure I endorse that, but I am struck by countering a lack of evidence with a lack of evidence

2nd, I have to be honest it comes across that art raising awareness is contemptible to you? I find this debate always very interesting people who feel they must be explicitly political criticizing people who are not and people who are not criticizing people who try to be. Hm… can’t we all just get a long? But in all seriousness many people only understood global warming through artistic means, through film and photo if you will… Now whether you do or don’t believe global warming is “real” it is real in consequence because we are now acting out of a result of it… those actions are directly impacted by image makers, because it is through images that people gain their information about the world these days (though probably not the images of Chris Jordan admittedly)

It is my sincere hope that I am clear in what I’m saying here. I enjoy the post and the blog overall. Thought-provoking and interesting!

Alexander
http://hoganalexander.blogspot.com