poster has been used as a propaganda tool by almost every state. During World War I, each one of the warring nations used posters to promote their nation and vilify their opponents.
Propoganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicise a particular political cause or point of view.
Figure 39.12 War is not healthy for children or other living things poster, 1966. The handmade look of this poster is typical of the anti- commercial hippy culture that was part of the anti-war movement worldwide.
Figure 39.11 Lord Kitchener Wants You poster, 1914. Armies on both sides used posters for propaganda during World War I.
A web search for ‘World War I posters’ will bring up many examples of wartime propaganda posters. These large pieces of public art, easily reproducible and instantly recognisable, were one of the most effective ways of getting an idea across before the invention of television and before colour images were possible in newspapers.
554
Protesting against war was a criminal offence in most countries as recently as the late 20th century. Public protests against the Vietnam War in the 1960s may have helped to bring this ban to an end in the West. Artists and designers were very involved in the protest movement, producing posters, t-shirts and artworks to highlight the injustice of war. Look for anti-Vietnam war posters in a web search to see the range of mostly hand-designed posters that challenged the government position on the war.
Handmade art and craft was part of the protest against the big commercial and industrial interests that were profiting from the war. People continue to protest using a wider range of media.
Have a classroom debate on the most effective ways of protesting against war. Consider a design campaign that you could organise
against a current war. NEW APPRECIATING ART TODAY’S WORLD
