Exercises: Anti-Fascist Aesthetics

Exercise 1: Antonyms

We now know what even a concealed fascist aesthetic looks like. But what might an anti-fascist aesthetic look like? Complete the following table by pairing opposing words to produce a description of an anti-fascist aesthetic.

Now, in prose, describe what this anti-fascist aesthetic might actually look like. If you’ve seen examples in the world around you, in film, television, advertising, or media, name them.

Exercise 2: Aesthetics

Watch the video “How to Recognize a Fascist” on YouTube, made by Contrapoints. Consider the video a documentary film much like Riefenstahl’s. How has Contrapoints created an anti-fascist aesthetic for delivering her anti-fascist message? Write an exploration of her aesthetic in standard prose (around 400 words) – what does it achieve for her argument that couldn’t be done with a different aesthetic?

Exercise 3: Political Aesthetics of the Baseball Hat

What does the baseball cap represent in American culture? How is it different to, for instance, a trucker hat in terms of what it says about the wearer?

This exercise asks you to consider the political aesthetics of the clothes we wear – by considering the aesthetic choices behind the “Make America Great Again” hat. The “MAGA” hat has been one of the most successful pieces of politicized fashion in modern history. What are the choices behind the design of this hat, and how are they designed to convey a political message in a seemingly non-political way? And what exactly is that message?

In standard prose, explore the message and the medium of the MAGA hat (around 400 words). Relate it to the politics of other examples of seemingly innocuous political choices in our contemporary world if you can.

“Make America Great Again” by James McNellis is licensed under CC-BY 2.0.