Authority in art seems like a contradiction. The concept of art to me elicits an environment open for discussion. That is why I find Hugo Chavez\u2019s talk show so progressive. As the former President of Venezuela he symbolized authority and power, but he aligned himself with the people of Venezuela and was relatable through his show, Al\u00f3 Presidente, which featured a book club, artistic performances, and call in sessions. Speaking about topics other than politics, he created conversations with his fellow citizens. In addition, he used his show as a form of propaganda, which is definitely art in its ability to skew representations and depict country values. He commonly spoke of the \u201cBolivian Revolution\u201d and promoted anti-American rhetoric. Although Chavez used his talk show as a vehicle for his political agenda, it definitely was a step in the right direction to\u00a0including everyday people in dialogue. Today, I would compare this to prominent authority figures including the President himself starring in Saturday Night Live. They not only engage in performance art, but they also complete\u00a0unscripted dialogues ranging from funny skits to political spoofs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Authority in art seems like a contradiction. The concept of art to me elicits an environment open for discussion. That is why I find Hugo Chavez\u2019s talk show so progressive. As the former President of Venezuela he symbolized authority and power, but he aligned himself with the people of Venezuela and was relatable through his … <\/p>\n