Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines [Paperback]

William Cleveland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2008

Artists in communities in crises the world over are working to resolve conflict, promote peace, and rebuild civil society. Here are six remarkable stories of artists in Northern Ireland, Cambodia, South Africa, the United States (Watts, Los Angeles), aboriginal Australia, and Serbia, who heal unspeakable trauma, give voice to the forgotten and disappeared, and re-stitch the cultural fabric of their communities.

Author Bill Cleveland is an activist, teacher, facilitator, lecturer, and director of the Center for the Study of Art & Community. He is the author of Art in Other Places, which explores the emerging community arts movement in the United States.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Art and Upheaval turns a world eager for hope and good news onto the fact that everyday around the world there are artists daring to speak truth (and beauty!) to power in ways that build understanding and reconciliation where there were previously only hardened hearts and ruin.
-- David Griffith, author, A Good War is Hard to Find: The Art of Violence in America

Through the eloquent telling of stories of ordinary people daring to speak out, fight back and take action, Bill Cleveland shows us the most precious gift innate in all of us, the power to imagine and create. The act of creation can heal our deepest wounds and turn crisis into opportunity.
-- Lily Yeh, artist and founder, Barefoot Artists and The Village of Arts and Humanities

Another insightful set of observations from a master storyteller. In his new book Cleveland deepens our sense of how human imagination and creativity sit next to upheaval in the ecology of meaning.
-- Jennifer Williams, artist, founder, The Center for Creative Communities

Praise for Art in Other Places:

An important addition to the expanding body of work on community arts... Cleveland has collected heartwarming stories from deeply committed people who should be our role models.
-- Lucy Lippard, writer, critic

This book and his work in other places show not only concern for the human condition, but how we can improve it.
-- Jonathan Borofsky, artist

Bill Cleveland is a pioneer in the community arts movement and one of its most poetic documenters. Activist, teacher, lecturer, and musician, he directs the Center for the Study of Art & Community. Previous works include Making Exact Change and Art in Other Places.

Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: New Village Press (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976605465
• ISBN-13: 978-0976605461
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #455,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone who doubts art's contribution to society., September 2, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines (Paperback)

Taking a stance against the injustices of the world is something we all wish we could do, but few posses the influence to do so significantly. "Art and Upheaval: Artists on the World's Frontlines" is an assortment of stories of people of the arts, be they actor, writer, painter, playwright or such, standing up for their beliefs. Their stories are inspiring about how those who use their fame for the good of all. Enhanced with photos and art of and by the nobler artists, "Art and Upheaval" is a must for anyone who doubts art's contribution to society.