Defend Me, Giovanni, Protect My Honor: How the History of Visual Artists, Society, Morality and the Law Converge

Defend Me, Giovanni, Protect My Honor: How the History of Visual Artists, Society, Morality and the Law ConvergeEveryone in America who makes it a daily mission to create art or protect the rights of artists need to take a critical look at the current legislation that is in place for artists and their finished pieces. Analyzing Americas visual art centric laws needs to become an essential part of the vocabulary of visual artists and organizations whose missions are to connect with communities and work towards social reform. This thesis is an attempt at a

Everyone in America who makes it a daily mission to create art or protect the rights of artists need to take a critical look at the current legislation that is in place for artists and their finished pieces. Analyzing AmericaÕs visual art-centric laws needs to become an essential part of the vocabulary of visual artists and organizations whose missions are to connect with communities and work towards social reform.

This thesis is an attempt at a comprehensive history of where these laws came from and what can and should be improved upon, all while informing artists of their basic rights in order for them to continue to create relevant and stimulating works of art.

Only when artists are wide awake to the society in which they seek to record, will this type of political and societal enlightenment merge with the artistÕs aesthetic and training. When the two worlds meet, artists everywhere can continue their task of changing the world for the better.