Modern Day Social Activism in Animation

Social activism has become more prominent in social media sites across all types of media. In more recent times, reposting videos, articles, photos, and links that help provide aid to the affected people helps generate momentum on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Just as there are many examples of activism on social sites, there are just as many forms of art that are reflective of the artist's personal stance on a situation or a collective response from a group of artists producing a short video or clip voicing their reactions to an event.

In art, Banksy's art creates an impact by relentlessly advocating his pacifist views for cultural resistance that otherwise are driven by a violence-fueled movement. One example of his work is a stencil art originally sprayed in the West Bank called "Rage, the Flower Thrower". His work was significant in drawing attention to the ongoing situation in Gaza as well as opening a discussion on the violence occurring among the Palestinian locals who are faced with a constant threat of violence in a place they call home. Today, many people continue to keep an eye on the ongoing conflict in Gaza creating similar art, posters, jewelry, etc to bring awareness, generate aid for the families impacted by the situation, and call for a ceasefire.

In Poland, a group of about 50 animation students at the Film School of Lodz gathered to produce a collage of short animated clips in response to the Polish Constitutional Court’s decision to restrict abortion rights in late 2020. The video posted on YouTube vividly depicts the emotional weight of fear, rage, and solidarity between Polish men and women in the aftermath of the antiabortion bill. The animation depicts various clips of women drowning, exploding pregnant bellies, and implied self-mutilation as well as some personal statements from the artists. The video reached a large audience after being published on G'rls Room, a Facebook account of a Polish alternative feminist magazine.

This piece of media shows the influence of what an action of cultural resistance can inspire. Once this video gained momentum, two other groups followed suit to create their own version on the topic of abortion. One group of creators from Hungry created an animated video to stand in support of Polish women.

Animation and art prove to be a powerful tool in creating media and momentum for social activism in various parts of the world. We will only continue to see more examples of this as the younger generation of Gen Z moves into the workforce and pushes to advocate for a much-needed change in the world.