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EXAMINING BUTTON PINS AS A TOOL FOR REVOLUTION
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hen thinking of the relationship between art and protest, images like Keith Haring’s famously bold paintings, The Guerrilla Girls’ eye-catching posters, or the controversial works of street artist Banksy might come to mind. While these examples are crucial to their causes and deserving of celebration, they have been thoroughly studied by art historians and casual viewers alike for decades for their creative methods of political activism. All flashy, all impactful, all important in their own right. However, if one were to look closer at what is pinned to the jackets and backpacks of protesters and activists, they might discover a miniature world of countercultural art that too often goes all too overlooked. Existing at the intersection of fashion and politics, button pins, also known as badges, are a unique form of art that allows the wearer to express their beliefs in a tangible and creative way. First created in 1787 to promote anti-slavery sentiments in the English government, their existence is rooted in resistance. From small political campaigns to nationwide protests, Americans have used button pins to declare their causes for decades. Their popularity boomed in times of social unrest, especially during the Civil Rights Movement, the waves of feminism, and gay liberation. Their portable size and unique opportunities to
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personalize position them as a medium for personal activism and political messaging. Unlike other forms of popular art, such as painting or photography, button pins exist without the barriers of rare, expensive materials and years of artistic training. They are instead easily accessible, as many revolutionary art forms have historically been. All that is needed is a button machine, paper, pencils, and a drive to create. This aspect appeals to countercultural movements that reject social hierarchies, such as worker reforms, racial justice, and gender equality. The assembly process is also incredibly satisfying, firmly pushing down on the lever and encasing your precious artwork in clear, shining plastic, popping out the perfect palm-sized button. As an art form, button pins are wonderfully customizable and can be entirely personalized to the creator’s beliefs, values, and personal design tastes. Their blank slate allows for total creative expression, often through symbols, colors, and eye-catching fonts. Although their small surface often limits the messages that can be expressed, it forces the creator to break their thoughts down to absolute essence, resulting in short, impactful statements. Looking at these artistic choices can allow us to understand the aesthetics of both individual
movements and the visual influences of their eras. For example, the button pins worn by the hippies in the 1960s displayed the peace symbol and “END THE WAR” messaging, or the pink triangle symbol of The Gay Liberation movement in the 1970s. Each used button pins as a tool to signal the important issues and visual trends of their eras.
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