Art is something that by its very nature knows no bounds other than that of the human imagination, and the human imagination has, time and again, shown itself to be all but without limit. And yet, all around us we see silly, arbitrary and draconian rules being imposed upon all forms of art. The global economic crisis, a Great Recession that shows no sign of alleviating, has deepened this imposition.

We see lines drawn between who can and can’t enjoy music and film, as the ongoing controversy over peer-to-peer file-sharing reveals. Community arts centers are shut down. Public libraries and museums--where they even still exist!--are under attack, cutting whole segments of the working and poor population off from their right to art and culture. Arts and music teachers are often the first laid off in public schools.

And in art itself, the drive of our profit-based system isn’t toward the greatest heights of human creativity, but down into the lowest common denominator. Debates about what is “good” or “bad” are shaped by the needs of the market rather than honest, democratic discussion. Truly daring artists struggle to find an audience in favor of the slick, the sanitized, the easily commodified.

Looking at all of this it would be easy to be discouraged, to throw in the towel on the art that makes us most human. All is not lost, however. The strikes and rebellions across Europe, the revolutions of the Arab Spring, the emergence of the Occupy movement and other uprisings for economic democracy and social justice, have all given rise to new, vital and insurgent forms of art.

It can be seen in the emergence of “Occupy artists,” heard in the hip-hop lyrics that rose with such ferocious hope from Tahrir Square. It can be felt in the dance of a demonstration, the rhythm and rhyme of revolt. Bottom-up, radical forms of art are being forged every day by a global generation who rightly believe that this world belongs to us. 

Red Wedge magazine exists to bring attention to these new forms and artists. We are revolutionary Marxists who believe wholeheartedly in the power of art and that such power can only be truly unleashed by a society of genuine liberation. We aim to analyze all forms of art from a socialist perspective, understanding that at its best, it is the expression of a human condition unfettered by exploitation and oppression. We seek to learn from radical arts movements of the past that have been lost to history or twisted to suit the needs of the powers that be. 

Above all, we are for total and complete human emancipation, and hope to put forth a vision of such a society where artistic expression is available to all, and where each and every person might reach the apex of their creative potential.

All power to the imagination!
The independence of art -- for the revolution!
The revolution -- for the complete liberation of art!