Social Commentary & The Artistic Counterculture: 13 Inspiring Examples of Subversive Offbeat Art

The choice to list 13 of these offbeat artistically expressive links was in itself a postmodern social commentary counter cultural decision, snubbing a nose at the superstitious notion that the number 13 is in any way unlucky. In defiance of that notion, this list declares by its very nature that 13 is merely a number, and has no intrinsic meaning in relation to luck, either good or bad.

1

See a sample of the stop-motion work of Canadian filmmaker Paul Whittington& Carrotkid Films at Laughingsquid Presents Paul Whittington.

This link takes you to two of Mr. Whittington films, entitled "Android 207", and "L19: Disposed". Both of these films are artfully executed and powerful with social commentary, reflecting a great deal about us through these robotic creations.

2

Here's a link to a neat art blog site by Rob Sheridan, which he calls Sketchblog, Sporadic Art and Ideas by Rob Sheridan.

Read his blog, and click on his art to enlarge and see with greater detail. This guy has one twisted yet extraordinarily gifted style. Some viewers may find a few pieces of his art a bit disturbing, but sometimes we need to be disturbed in order to awaken our senses from the slumber of day to day living.

3

Laughing Squid, a celebrated countercultural art site, gives us a look at the Portable Cell Phone Booth.

In 2002, performance sculptor Nick Rodrigues created this handy device as a social commentary on the extent to which cell phones isolate people from one another. Be sure to watch the video, for with it he evocatively makes his point.

4

From Zumbakamera a fantastic little animated story of idol worship, leading to war, death and destruction, then to commercial enterprise gone rampant. You'll find this animation at YouTube, called, Bendito Machine 1.

With a similar theme, Zumbakamera produced Bendito Machine 2, also found at YouTube. Incidentally Bendito Machine 1 has the honor of being Winner of 2006 Aniboom Awards. You'll find many more cool animations at their awards site.

5

The Hi-Fructose site promotes the critically acclaimed under the counter culture art magazine, founded by artists Annie Owens and Attaboy. Hi-Fructose magazine is the definitive countercultural showcase for an eclectic mix of underground artists, pop surrealists, emerging and rediscovered counter cultures, and awe inspiring spectacles from around the world.

The Hi-Fructose Blog page gives you a spicy sample of the kind of stuff you can expect in their magazine, with a few art videos thrown in, for good measure. Be sure to scroll way down this blog page, to see some of their most unique art.

6

On YouTube you can find "Earth to Humanity - BlueMen Group" doing some of their usual avant-garde type performance art. This presentation includes a bit of commentary about global warming.

7

For a backward look at the future, check out Paleo-Future: A look into the future that never was. This retroactive future visionary site explores the predictions of futurists past, and reveals the extent to which they didn't quite get it right.

How about your own (circa 1900 Harry Grant Dart) style, personal airship? His vision of future airships were outstandingly beautiful, but unfortunately a tad too imaginative for reality. This site includes some great stills from the now classic 1958 Disney animated film, Magic Highway USA.

8

Speaking of parody religions, another hilarious example can be found at the official home page for the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

This one is quite tongue in cheek, most amusing, and has been referred to as a "web-fueled movement toward "open source theology" that challenges existing beliefs." May you find yourself touched by his noodly appendage.

9

For the high weirdness of the ultimate counter cultural/social commentary joke religious cult see the official web site for the Church of the SubGenius.

It's really an exaggeration to call this group a cult, they're more like a parody religion. Do they take themselves seriously? Some think they do. If so, then I'd say the joke's on them.

10

See various methods of melting a chocolate bunny in this YouTube video, Chocolade Haas.

My personal favorite is the blow-dryer approach.

11

You can find a terrific example of an online series, rich in social commentary at Quarterlife.

12

A most bizarre group of avant-garde music makers can be found on YouTube with The Vegetable Orchestra. This is a sound you must experience. All of their musical instruments are home made from vegetables; it's both uncanny and beautiful. The carrot flute has an amazing impact. And don't worry, they don't waste the vegetables, post performance they prepare the leftovers for a shared meal.

13

A rather humorous, yet ripe with social commentary, series of internet videos can be found at Calls for Cthulhu.

This one takes the concepts of the work of H. P. Lovecraft and feeds them into a truly creative parody production. "He will take your call, he will answer your e-mail, HE WILL SWALLOW YOUR SOUL!" It's all very tongue in cheek, or maybe in Cthulhu's case tongues against tentacles. Most of these videos are also available at YouTube. Here, you can see Episode 1.

So be sure to come back next week when Cthulhu will, "SWALLOW YOUR SOUL!" These videos are sure to make you laugh, unless of course you just lack a sense of humor, in which case don't worry about it, for when Cthulhu fully awakens he'll still "SWALLOW YOUR SOUL!", anyway.