Myanmar Artists Document Creative Protest Tactics Following Military Coup

Since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, which resulted in the arrest of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, there has been a surge in protests. Artists such as Sai, Aye Ko, and Moe Satt have shared their insights in ArtReview, showcasing innovative forms of dissent like banging pots, honking horns, projecting visuals, and selling art for fundraising. This movement, termed 'artivism,' unites youth, farmers, LGBTQ activists, musicians, and artists, with social media facilitating organization amid internet restrictions. The military's reaction has been brutal, exemplified by the shooting of a 19-year-old on February 10. Artists express concern for their families and highlight backing from organizations like the Association of Myanmar Contemporary Art and Beyond Pressure, as protests reach their largest scale in over ten years against General Min Aung Hlaing.