Creativity Through by Passion To Then Inspire Action and Compassion

I always love it when I see creative energy used for compassion and the good of community. It is my belief that art is something meant to inspire and promote thought. From Wikipedia:

In a social context, art can serve to boost the public's morale.

...art is often a way of passing ideas and concepts on to later generations in a (somewhat) universal language. The interpretation of this language depends upon the observer’s perspective and context. So conversely the very subjectivity of art demonstrates its importance in facilitating the exchange and discussion of rival ideas, or to provide a social context in which disparate groups of people might congregate and mingle.

Brand Flakes for Breakfast blog shows a recent installment by JWT in New York to help collect donations for homeless. This interactive mural helped to yield a response 4 times that which was expected.


Some other favorites of art being used to inspire social activism are: Rock for Hunger - local bands in Orlando raising money and awareness and work to end poverty. But they're starting to branch out, because poverty isn't just in Orlando. So awesome to see creative people use their music to help others out.

MTV's Think campaign. Short commercials on MTV to raise awareness about various issues. Include the Choose or Lose campaigns to get young people involved with the voting process. Another thing I like about this is the slogan is: Your Cause. Your Effect. It's a great message to challenge this generation to realize that they have an effect and the things they do (or don't do) have consequence and make a difference.

The Truth and Whudafxup Campaigns using short films documentary-style to show the dangers of smoking. Also includes other interactive installment art filmed or photographed.





Or the (RED) products which challenges people to pay attention to how they use their spending power and to help aid and raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Companies are creative with their products.

Nashville International Airport's Photography Exhibit of Jeremy Cowart entitled, "Stars and Suffering: Through the Same Lens." I didn't get to see this personally, just read about a 2nd hand account from Sam Davidson from Cool People Care. In this way the artist shows to his viewer (in this case a blogger) about the vast differences between the wealthy and celebrity and the unknown and those in poverty.

Faces of Hope: Children of a Changing World by Alison Wright. (see image to right - copyright Alison Wright) This book I found on clearance at a major chain bookstore. It's images of children around the world to show that there is still some commonality between children: they are the hope for a better future. The stories associated with these children and the images brought me to tears both of joy and sorrow. (It's also pretty cool that the The Dalai Lama wrote the passage on the inside and back covers!)

The film Elephant is a good example as well. This isn't so much a cause but to make a point that school violence is a problem that cannot be ignored (the same way as trying to ignore an elephant in the room.)

Those are just a few that I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure (and hope) there are hundreds of artists out there that use their creativity to inspire social consciousness or awareness about an issue that they're passionate about. I'd like to think it our duty - as creative people - to use our thoughts and creative to speak to audiences on behalf of others.

No man has the right to dictate what other men should perceive, create or produce, but all should be encouraged to reveal themselves, their perceptions and emotions, and to build confidence in the creative spirit.
- Ansel Adams

What else have you seen that's made you think or addressed an issue or raise awareness?