How does concrete’s association with urban decay inform its use in abstract political art?
Concrete, often associated with urban decay and industrialization, has become a powerful medium in abstract political art. Its raw, rugged texture and cold, impersonal appearance evoke themes of societal neglect, bureaucratic rigidity, and the erosion of human connection. Artists leverage these associations to critique political systems, using concrete’s durability to symbolize both oppression and resilience. By transforming a material tied to urban blight into abstract forms, they challenge viewers to reflect on power, decay, and renewal. This duality makes concrete a compelling choice for art that interrogates the intersection of politics and the built environment.
