Propaganda is art too!

At this moment of time, I am stuck between two floating worlds. As my involvement in graphic design becomes more demanding I find myself struggling with finding time to socialize and have a college experience. Being new to Chico and Chico State, I want to put myself out there, enjoy being in a new place and living life on an edge, because after all I won’t be in this situation ever again in my life. Standing in the middle of my Bridge of Hesitation, with school on one side and a social life on the other, I am forced to look through my options and view the pros and cons of each world. The situation  is tough, but I am here for one reason, or should I say, my parents are paying my tuition for one reason and one reason only, and the decisions I make when I come to that bridge are almost always in favor of my school work. The better of the two options, I know. But are there ever regrets? Of course.

In Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, An Artist of the Floating World, Ono’s stay at the Okada-Shingen threatens Ono that he must leave if he doesn’t shape up and quite with his new propaganda painting. In support of the war, Ono finds a new beauty in the style of painting and begins to pursue this technique. When his Sensei finds his paintings, away in his collection he gives Ono the ultimatum to stop his “experimenting” or to leave the villa. “As you pointed out yourself, Ono, these are troubled times. All the more so for a young artist, practically unknown and without resources. If you were less talented, I would fear for your future after leaving me. But you are a clever fellow. No doubt you have made arrangements.” (180) Sensei views Ono as one of his most accomplished pupils, but after seeing these paintings and recognizing the other pupils avoiding him for his new found nationalism style,  this is seen as wrongful which leads Sensei to threaten Ono.

Ono clearly sees that his country needs support, and takes on this nationalistic style of painting with pure passion. He holds these painting with feeling of great accomplishment. Being an artist and having those chances to express one’s ideas and passions, Ono believes Sensei will be in full support. “Sensei, it is my belief that in such troubled times as these, artists must learn to value something more tangible than those pleasurable things that disappear with the morning lights. It is not necessary that artists always occupy a decadent and enclosed worlds. My conscience, Sensei, tells me I cannot remain forever and artist of the floating world.” (180)

Ono finds himself unwilling to settle with creating art based on just physical beauty. Postwar Japan presents to Ono the imperialist movement and he quickly finds himself drawn into a love for a devoted nationalistic painting technique. This is in fact art. It is propaganda art, but you must realize that there is an art to everything. From the painting on my fridge of a rainbow I created probably when I was in first grade to Picasso’s scattered, yet brilliant pieces. It’s all art and portrays an intended message. For Ono to find this passion and to continue with it, standing up for himself is by far the right thing to do.