Just ran across this piece by JP Danko about art as provocation and a reflection of social change. Photographer Tim Tadder’s ‘Nothing to See’ photo series is designed as creative provocation. Art is a powerful engine for encouraging thoughtful discussion and re-examination of the forces at work in a society.
My own art work is deeply rooted in that tradition.
NOTHING TO SEE – A STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT STATE OF POLITICS IN AMERICA
Photography at it’s core is an art form.
As photographers, we sometimes get so caught up with the aesthetic or technical challenges of creating pretty pictures that we forget that art is supposed to challenge us intellectually, to help us see things in different ways, to inspire debate.
Advertising photographer Tim Tadder’s recent project “Nothing To See” aims to do just that.
“Nothing To See” is an artistic statement on the current state of politics in America – a protest of sorts, but also an invitation to action…
As a photography blog we try to avoid political commentary.
However, no matter your political ideology or where in the world you call home, it is hard to ignore how interesting American politics has become with the election of Donald Trump.
How photographers and other artists respond is just as interesting.
Here is Tim’s statement on the project:
NOTHING TO SEE
As an American artist I am tired. I am tired of the acceptance of ignorance. I am tired of listening to a clown day after day tell me that what I see and what I hear is fake news. I am tired of feeling this way so I did what I do and I directed that energy into art. Hopefully this collection of images communicates what most people are feeling. I feel these images expresses our current state of affairs. Outside forces are blinding and suffocation us. We are being told by a puppet that there is nothing to see here. We are being told everything is great, while clearly everything is totally hanging by a thread. We are on verge of nuclear war, we have three major natural disasters related to climate change and we are rolling back every EPA regulation possible. Nothing to see here folks. And if you speak up, you are being told that its all fake news… Enough. I choose to use my voice and my audience to express and hopefully motivate people to act. So if these images relate to how you feel, share this collection and express that you will not be blinded and silenced.
Tim Tadder
To see the entire series, you can visit Tim’s gallery on 500px here: “Nothing To See”
To find out more about Tim Tadder and his work, you can visit his website here: Tim Tadder – Advertising Photographer, and his Behance portfolio here.