Category: - Responsible History Education Action

Cheap Propaganda, Art For Sale

8/9/2014

It's an event!

Teachers, are you looking at bare classroom walls and stacks of planning to do? We're here for you! We will be selling professionally printed, extra large scale versions of our posters at very cheap prices. There will also be free stickers, free food (come early if you want some, it will be tasty) and no event would be complete without cheap drinks.

We're quite honored to have been invited to First Friday at Attic Studios, it is an institution in Bangkok. First Friday happens every month at Attic Studios, attracting students of Art, the art-interested and art-curious. This event will be one night only and we will also be unveiling never-before seen poster designs, extra-fancy framed posters and some Thai language versions of our designs. Join us!

Cheap Propaganda

3/12/2014

Navinland- Navin- Rawanchaikul-propaganda-posters-Thai-identity-Thailand-Indian

"Navinland Needs You: We are Asia!"
A project from Thai artist Navin Rawanchaikul,
which examines national and cultural identity
through art using propaganda themes.

Our last series of posters were in part inspired by an Artist from Thailand, Navin Rawanchaikul, who uses propaganda from many cultures to inspire his art. We will write more about the message that he shares as it is relevant to a lot of what we are about.

We believe that the poster series that we created is one of the best free resources on the Internet for teachers that want classroom posters about History and cultural awareness. It is sometimes not easy to print out such things in many schools that have limited resources and a long queue of teachers waiting to print.

We will continue to produce these posters and share them for free here for everyone. If you're in or around Bangkok, we also will put together an art show this year, Cheap Propaganda, tentatively for September where you can buy the posters inexpensively. We'll keep you up to date on the when and where of the show and please if you are interested in owning some of our posters let us know so we can have enough available for sale at the show. Hope to see you there!

Poster #9

2/23/2014

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

Download the above poster here:

tough-01.jpg
File Size:	3912 kb
File Type:	jpg

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Today's poster has been contributed by Artist TheRaf. If you would like to show off your design skills let us know, the pay is a pittance (as in none) but the prestige is priceless!

Enjoy!

For the previous posters in this series, have a look here:

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/posters-7-and-8-artsy-edition.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/posters-5-and-6-literary-editions.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/poster-4-and-poster-3-remixed.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/bonus-free-poster-3.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-2.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

Posters #7 and #8, Artsy Edition

2/22/2014

free-posters-educators-teachers-history-art-english-unity

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

unity-history-poster-kruger-printable-classroom-teachers-educators-art-a3-large-free

Download the above image here:

unitykruger.gif
File Size:	9098 kb
File Type:	gif

80s-retro-poster-unicorn-lean-on-me-joe-clark-teachers-educators-classroom-free-poster

Download the above image here:

80snew.png
File Size:	5461 kb
File Type:	png

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Today's theme is 'artsy' and our first poster was inspired by the work of Barbara Kruger. The second is just really darn happy!

If you would like to show off your design skills let us know, the pay is a pittance (as in none) but the prestige is priceless!

Enjoy!

For the previous posters in this series, have a look here:

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/posters-5-and-6-literary-editions.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/poster-4-and-poster-3-remixed.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/bonus-free-poster-3.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-2.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

Posters #5 and #6, Literary Editions

2/21/2014

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

Download the poster above here:

orwell.jpg
File Size:	165 kb
File Type:	jpg

Download the poster above here:

dumbledore_the_readables_new.png
File Size:	974 kb
File Type:	png

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Today's Orwell poster has been contributed by Artist TheRaf. The second poster was inspired by The Readables' Tumblr site.

If you would like to show off your design skills let us know, the pay is a pittance (as in none) but the prestige is priceless!

Enjoy!

For the previous posters in this series, have a look here:

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/poster-4-and-poster-3-remixed.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/bonus-free-poster-3.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-2.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

Poster #4 and Poster #3 Remixed

2/19/2014

Download the poster above here:

free-large-format-poster-history-teachers-printable-thailand-gummy-vitamins-materials-resources-educators

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

modern-propaganda-twitter-trolls-TheRaf-hate-speech-noh8-feed-trolls-free-poster-printable

Download the poster above here:

troll_hire_a3.jpg
File Size:	1886 kb
File Type:	jpg

poster-large-format-printable-free-aliens-mars-attacks-unite-unity-educators-propaganda

Download the above poster here:

unite_dina3_300dpi.jpg
File Size:	3963 kb
File Type:	jpg

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Today's posters have been contributed by Artist TheRaf. If you would like to show off your design skills let us know, the pay is a pittance (as in none) but the prestige is priceless!

Enjoy!

For the previous posters in this series, have a look here:

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/bonus-free-poster-3.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-2.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

Bonus! Free Poster #3

2/19/2014

free-posters-history-teachers-printable-downloadable-a3-large-format-materials-classroom-decoration-poster

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Enjoy!

Want more? Here are our previous posters:

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-2.html

http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

aliens.jpg
File Size:	10101 kb
File Type:	jpg

Free Poster #2

2/18/2014

free-poster-large-format-history-teacher-resource-image-poster-materials

We are releasing a poster a day (or more!) this week, totally free for you to print. Most of the images will also work in monochrome if you don't have access to a color printer. These images are around A3 sized but can be printed a bit larger or smaller if you like. If you can only print on A4, here are some directions on how to print on two sheets of A4 paper to make an A3 image, with some assembly required.

propaganda-russia-modern-kind-brain-argue-reasonable-explain-sources-facts-history-teacher-free-poster-large-printable-print-cogs-kindness

Please suggest any ideas you'd like to see as a poster and also feel free to send us your photos of our posters 'in action.' All we ask is that you keep the text at the bottom giving us credit for our hard work.

Enjoy!

Want more? Here's one from yesterday: http://www.historyaction.org/1/post/2014/02/free-poster-1.html

be_reasonable.gif
File Size:	3044 kb
File Type:	gif

A Few Updates

11/14/2013

Nolde- Emil- Nazi- Degenerate Art- Thailand- RHEA

Emil Nolde, The Prophet, 1912.

We have been busy this week and now have two new videos. The first is a Thai translation of our Q&A video and a full proper translation of the website all videos and a Thai blog are on the way.

We also have created a video, Degenerate Art and Fashion that addresses two things at once. Last week it was revealed that a treasure trove of art stolen by the Nazis has been uncovered in Munich and there has been more attention to the Nazis and art. The Nazis were able to ban, steal and effectively exile and kill many artists of their time. We find this news especially interesting seeing that the excuse, "It is art," given by the designer that has made the most well-known Hitler and Nazi designs in Thailand. So it seemed like a great opportunity to explore this idea in more depth.

Pictured left is a print from before WWII, Emil Nolde. Even though Nolde was a supporter of the Nazi Party, he was banned from painting after 1941.

Below are the two new videos. Enjoy and share!

"It's Art" Versus Art History Nerdery

10/23/2013

Hitler shirts- nazi - shirts- Thailand - Thai - 7 star - shop - art - Bangkok - Udon Thani - sale- st. village 13 - nazis

Screenshot Seven Star's shop, October 23, 2013

October 23, 2013
"It is art," says Hitler shirt design creator Ekachai Usapanitch of Seven Star in response to the international controversy generated by his shirts with the Hitler cartoons (video below.)

By now Ekachai has been informed about the seriousness of using this image, and yet he and it still persists. "It is art," is the only reason he gives to justify his standpoint. Just to be kind, we'll let him have that point.

Does the "It is art" standpoint shield him from criticism? Absolutely not.

Many times, artists have been criticized for the content of their work, some even invite controversy as a way of self-promotion or for purer motives like starting a discussion about an issue. Ekachai has expressed no reason behind using this image. While the image may gain popularity by Westerners' criticism of it, that's a risk that is worth taking if the alternative is to say nothing.

Once an artist's work goes into the World, it is then up to people to evaluate it. It can be labeled art and still be bad and/or offensive. By using this image and continuing to produce these shirts, we have every right to voice our opinions, and with the global market these shirts are not just a Thailand issue as some have been sold on eBay internationally. The Hitler Ronald McDonald sculpture was sold to someone in Germany.

Hitler- McDonald- Ronald - Nazi - Germany - Thailand - Thai - German - Thailand - Terminal 21 - Nazis - Nazi -

Seven Star, October 23, 2013 screenshot. We have lots of them!

To state the point plainly: using the image of a mass murderer thoughtlessly is just offensive to those that suffered, died and to people that believe in human decency, even if it is art. That goes for Che Guevara shirts too.

Now that we've decimated the "It is art" argument, let's move on. This image spreads ignorance and gives a platform for hate speech. Anyone that has read more than a few YouTube comments knows that it does not take much to create a platform for racist and hate speech and even Thai videos about Hitler have attracted it. Why put more ugliness and ignorance into the World, it's already an abundant renewable resource.

Finally, the history and culture of this image does not belong to Thailand. While that does not mean that people cannot use images from other cultures, it is extremely important to be mindful when using images from them. It is perfectly acceptable to criticize McDonald's as it is a large chain in Thailand which effects the Thai people; Hitler did not directly effect Thailand. To use these images as thoughtlessly and profit from them is not okay.

One final thought for today from Elie Wiesel. The Gates of the Forest. Canada: Holt, Rinehart, Winston, Inc., 1966.

And I tell you this: if their death has no meaning, then it's an insult, and if it does have a meaning, it's even more so.

There's a really good article about cultural exchange versus cultural appropriation here: http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/hesaid-whats-the-difference-between-cultural-exchange-and-cultural-appropriation/