Sound and Sight
The Political Power of Music in Visual Art
N. Gohari (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
E. Korthals Altes – Mentor (TU Delft - History, Form & Aesthetics)
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Abstract
This thesis explores the intersection of music and visual art as a medium for political and cultural expression, focusing on four distinct historical and sociopolitical contexts: propaganda in totalitarian regimes, the Civil Rights Movement, countercultural art of the 1960s, and contemporary activism like Black Lives Matter. It examines how music-inspired visual art has reflected and shaped public consciousness by conveying solidarity, dissent, and cultural identity. The analysis reveals shared strategies across movements, such as the emotional resonance of gospel in protest imagery, the psychedelic aesthetics of the 1960s, and the digital amplification of modern activism. By comparing these cases, the research highlights the enduring function of music-infused art as a tool for cultural resistance and political engagement, bridging historical and contemporary practices. Future research directions include exploring how digital media and transnational art networks are reshaping the visual language of music-driven activism.