I had a colleague at uni who kept saying that 'all theatre is political'. I disagree; some art is political on purpose, some art becomes political, and some art is just art. (Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar)

Having said that, I can't believe that art and theatre is no place for politics. Think of how Augusto Boal feels about that thought - or the many playwrights who wrote about 9/11, or for that matter, how Shakespeare managed to influence politics perhaps, by simply impressing a Queen.

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I agree with Na.

I go to uni with a few people who believe art should be all political.
I disagree.

Sure, there should be a message, but political? Definately not. Think how stale issues would become if they were painted a thousand times by every "artist" - professional or amatuer.

In a sence, politics cannot be avoided. It is simply another term for diplomacy or what-have-you. From that point of view, almost everything is politics.

On the other hand, politics is most often used to refer to the current issues facing the government, corp sector, media, etc. From that POV, it has a rather narrow look on the world.

Take, for example, a play such as 'Quality Street' (Why? because it always on my mind!) It is in itself, a sweet little play. The story inspired a box of chocolates because they all had one things in common - Soft Centres. No joke. However, they way the play would have been presented when it was first written would be different (even if only slightly) than it would be today, than it might be in say twenty, thirty or fifty years time. In order to have the play be successful, it needs to be presented in the manner that suits the modern day audience of the time. That is essentially diplomacy or politics. It's also common sense.

However the play's main struggle is to do with matters of the heart. While the 1815 European Wars play a backdrop to the show, they do not overwelm the story line with political clat-trap, appart from the sensativities of dealling with wounded war heros. It that sense it avoids tackling obvious political statements and issues.

Yet again, the codes of etiquette of young women and men of the time were solid structures, even laws. They even have books of instruction outlining to proper behaviour of all walks of life from the humble servant for the stately lords. The only people exempt from these 'laws' it would seem were the lawless or poor, and the high officials of state. This highly structured social environment is very much on the ideal of diplomacy and politics, of the heart as some might say.

So is arts political? or is politics an artform? It is hard to break the two without creating some uncomfortable shades of grey. It all depends on what one sees as being political or not. Once you set the boundry, ... However, you can be assured that not everyone will see that boundry in the same way.

As for the other appraoch, should the Arts be involved in Politics, it already is and cannot avoid being so. Without a strong voice, there would not be any arts. If we were to simply let things slip, the 'Arts' would die a quiet death. Luckily for us, it is not human nature to simply roll over. As a collective race, we tend to thrive on struggle and progression. This is human nature and the nature of politics also.

Back to work...

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

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Quote by Labrug: "So is arts political? or is politics an artform? It is hard to break the two without creating some uncomfortable shades of grey. It all depends on what one sees as being political or not. Once you seti the boundry, ... However, you can be assured that not everyone will see that boundry in the same way."

Jeff has a definate point. No-one can say for sure because no-one will define that boundary the same. Unfortunately nothing is black and white.

My personal opinion agree with Na and Kay. I don't think Art MUST be political but I think politics definately plays a part in all the "arts". No matter how small or large a part most plays can be linked to political events and occurences of the time if you really want to try to do so. This link can be rather tenuous.

I believe some plays can be written for fun, they will more then likely make a point of some sort but not necesarily a political point.

Well thats my two cents worth. Now I shall return to my hole.

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

In Stalinist Russia, even composers had to toe the party line [see Ben Kingsly as Shostokovitch in the film, "Testimony"] Theatre was constrained. Writers sent to the gulags.

Now, that's not Australia in 2007, but note the concern of the Arts Law Centre Australia about the impact of the Howard Government's sedition laws - "Sedition and the Arts", , http://www.artslaw.com.au/ArtLaw/Archive/06SeditionAndTheArts.asp

Don't think it can't happen in Australia, though. Now. Censorship - an inherently political intervention in the arts - has dogged theatre in the past and it can happen again. The potential is real! Ask student artist, Michael Agzarian. Agzarian - who protesting through his art against the treatment of refugees - created digital portraits of Howard, Ruddock and Vanstone, with their lips sewn up. A member of the public wrote to the Prime Minister's Office complaining that it was "seditious" under the new laws. The PM's office forwarded the complaint to the Department of the Arts, which contacted the gallery to ask if the show was government funded http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200511/s1504405.htm . See commentary by Agzarian's supervisor in "The Age"
http://www.theage.com.au/news/arts/stop-laughing-this-is-seditious/2005/11/11/1131578210553.html

If artists censor themselves to conform with legal constraints - not about defamation or other such areas, but about topics that could get you arrested - then the Arts are inherently political. Avoiding "political" topics in art is a political act. The sedition laws make all art political.

I am presently writing a full-length play on the effects of the sedition laws. That's political in LaBrug's sense. But, I also don't expect that too many amateur theatre groups would be interested in producing something that for a range of reasons, in any case (even if it were good enough). Stephen Sewell has done it with "Myth, Propaganda and Disaster in Nazi Germany and Contemporary America". Other US writers are tackling the issues.

You better believe it. Where governments pass laws constraining freedom of expression, direct funding only to "correct" and "acceptable" projects, and put pressure of the sort that Michael Agzarian has experienced, you'd better believe that what you do on the stage is political. The selection of plays you produce, or the manner in which a play might be produced, does not have to deal directly with the heavy political topics of the day, but, being safe is an inherently political act!

Jim

I don't think Michael Agzarian is a student and Robert Nelson, who wrote "The Age" article, "Stop laughing, this is seditious" is not his supervisor (therefore).

Jim

It's in the play, but I venture to say it's not far removed from possibility:

NEWSREADER Our reporter spoke to the Minister this afternoon.

REPORTER Why has Mr Stefanos been arrested, Minister?

MINISTER You'll have to talk to the Federal Police regarding the arrest. But, I have read Mr Stefanos' book and I have to say that it's a disgraceful slur on the men and women working day and night to protect Australians against terrorists. The legislation explicitly outlaws calls for the violent overthrow of the State.

REPORTER But, “Tale of an Angry Land” is a novel. Surely you can't argue that the author is advocating the overthrow of the Government because one of his characters does?

MINISTER The legislation does not distinguish between the media in which seditious attacks on the State are made.

I think that reflects the legislation and its potential accurately.

Jim

Jeff what are the cases already prosecuted?

Jim

Another arts case is the Sydney artist who put up a burnt flag on display (as an artwork) in an outside display case above a gallery. The police received a number of complaints by members of the public; they went over to the gallery to chat with the owner. Finding no-one there, they (offered I believe) took access to the display case via the shop-owner below. They then removed the flag without discussion from the artist and/or gallery owner.

The artist was taken in for questioning - though not charged, as there was some debate about what to charge him. The issue here was that the police did the wrong thing - accessed private property without proper authorisation, and without a charge. It is no crime in Australia to burn the Aussie flag; nor display it as art for that matter. Though 'charges were dropped', it still shows how artists and their art take the blame for expressing political issues.

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You know what the four most destructive words to free speach in this country are? "She'll be right mate!" (well three words actually) I think that when it gomes down to it no artist in the country, in what ever genre, has the balls to make a statement that will challenge the money tree. "Art imitates life???" not here... they all value their lifestyle too much!