One of the first things that I noticed about the works of John Heartfield is his attention to current issues. He focuses on mainstream, political happenings and uses satirical remarks to create drama within the viewer. I really enjoy his daring style, especially because I know how controversial his ideas about the German government were during his day.
In the photo montage to the right, Hearfield has created a parody of a statement earlier made by Kaiser Wilhelm: "I don't see parties. I just see Germans." Here, instead of Wilhelm's phrase it reads "I don't see parties. I just see prisoners." Heartfield is attempting to mock Hitler's political schemes and inform his audience about the dangers in Hitler's plans for Germany. I found his choice of photograph and words very amusing but also intense. He obviously wanted to evoke drama or tension in the viewer, especially because he's asking them to think against what many German's were following at the time. Below the image, it reads that despite its message, the public piece was not very successful in slowing down the financial support Hitler received throughout Germany.
Another piece I particularly liked was "Blood and Iron." I found it clever that Heartfield uses images of axes to create the famous swastika known throughout the world today. The effect of the piece is very dramatic, like his other works. What I appreciate with this piece, however, is that it lacks words. Here, the symbol creates a meaning entirely on its own. As soon as someone looks at the art, it is clear at least to an extent what Heartfield is portraying. What intrigues me, and what I wish I could find out, is how differently someone then may have perceived this piece as opposed to someone now. Today, people everywhere know of the horrific mass murders that took place under Hitler's orders. Then, things were quite different. The lines were blurier, and the people far less sure of what was happening. I would assume this art plays a completely different, but still as important of a role that it had when it was created in 1934.
Chloe Stagaman
Heartfield intrigues me for the same reasons. He was a revolutionary artist in his day, reacting to the political and social atrocities of the times. However, you bring up an excellent point that I hadn't even thought about. How did people react at the time that these works were originally published? I can only assume that those that weren't willing to speak out publicly, let alone publish their opinions, stayed quiet just as the majority of those who knew of the horrific acts taking place did throughout the Third Reich. Speaking out was a dangerous thing back then, and in ways it still is today. The fact that Heartfield dared to speak out makes me like him even more.
ReplyDeleteI really also like how Heartfield uses different kinds of things to make the swastika. I also like the weak tree that he portrayed as a swastika which we saw in class. He is very smart in finding ways to show how negative the Nazi's political campaign was. His messages reach out to many people.
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