From reading Heartfield's short biography, as well as many of the other artists we have studied in this course, I have seen a lot of political motivations behind the majority of the artists we have studied. I don't think anyone could deny that to really express yourself through art, you have to be extremely passionate. I found it extremely interesting to see how such strong political viewpoints can fuel some extremely moving, controversial art pieces. Learning about Heartfield was inspiring if only because you can really tell that he found a cause he believed in wholeheartedly and was willing to dedicate his whole life to speaking out for it. It is also interesting to think about art as such an effective way to communicate a message to it's audience. A person can always write a pamphlet or an article to portray a message to a larger audience but I also think that there is something to be considered about using images to communicate with the world. Images can be used for a quick, universal delivery, one that can really resonate with it's audience on a deeper, emotional scale with a visual message that can't be denied. I think it's a really effective alternate form of declaration.
I also liked the range that Heartfield seemed to have with his photomantage. While some used graphic or disturbing images to leave an impact with his viewers, others were satirical and even comical. One of my favorites was that titled "Adolf the Superman: Swallows Gold and Spouts Junk" As the caption states, it was an anti-Hitler poster during the time when Hitler was gaining a lot of financial backing from wealthy industrialists trying to prevent a communist government. It shows Hitler with a transparent stomach filled with coins, the swastika still illuminated over his heart. I think it is very effective in delivering it's message in a sort of comical, mocking manner.
The image I posted is Titanic by Stanley Tigerman 1978
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