Genocide and Human Rights: A View from the Visual Arts

Throughout history, visual artists have documented every feature of social misconduct and injustice. In the 20th century, artists have used their talents to provide incisive commentary about the Armenian Genocide, the Nazi Holocaust, and racism against Africans and African Americans. This presentation will feature dramatic examples from this visual tradition. It will show why the visual arts have been dramatically effective in raising historical consciousness about human rights and in reminding viewers about the power of art as a tool of moral consciousness and social resistance.

Paul Von Blum is Senior Lecturer in African American Studies and Communication Studies at UCLA, where he has taught since 1980.  Previously, he taught at the University of California at Berkeley for 11 years. He has received Distinguished Teaching Awards at both Berkeley and UCLA. He is the author of nine books, most recently Civil Rights for Beginners in 2016 and over 100 articles on art, education, politics, and culture. He is a longtime civil rights activist and has spoken extensively in the United States, Canada, Southern Africa, and Europe. He has regularly spoken about the Armenian Genocide to university and other audiences in Southern California. He is also lawyer who has handled pro bono cases for over 40 years.