Pointillism, developed by Anarchists artists, namely Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, often conflate the philosophy of Anarchism: individuals, distinct dots (representing individual freedom and labor) combine through collective effort to form a vibrant whole (a free society without the state).
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Anarchist Harmony
Anarchist philosophy refers to the belief that a society without hierarchy and coercive governments would naturally result in a peaceful, cooperative and orderly social system, rather than the disordered violence, which the term Anarchy often be associated with.
Perspective on Individuals and Collective
To Anarchist post-Impressionist artists George Seurat and Paul Signac, each small dot of color is significant but can only achieve its full potential, luminosity and meaning, only when placed with to others. The collective, the canvas, can only thrive through every single dot and their individual colors, and the dot can only be more than just a dot, through the collective. This symbolizes the Anarchist idea of social harmony and mutual aid.
References
- Anarchism: Beyond the Myth of Chaos and Violence
- The Politics of Pointillism - Paul Signac’s In the Time of Harmony
- Pissarro’s Politics: How the Neo-Impressionists Incorporated their Anarchist Beliefs