What is Subversion?

ellenlouise
Dec 29, 2020
3 min read

If you google subversion, the definition given is that Subversion is "the undermining of the power and authority of an established system or institution." This is the definition given by Oxford Languages and is the definition I have been using to guide me through this project. My thoughts were that this 'established system' could be the Graphic Design industry, or my design practise or anything that can be classed as a system. A system being;

1) A set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network; a complex whole.

2) a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized scheme or method.

3) the prevailing political or social order, especially when regarded as oppressive and intransigent.

These definitions are also provided by Oxford Languages. The Graphic Design industry would be considered a system in terms of definition 1, while my creative practice would be a system concerning definition 2.

Merriam Webster, however, gave a more specific definition of subversion. One that seems specifically to definition 3. Subversion is defined by them as;

A systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons secretly working from within.

This is very specific and not something I could do with regards to my creative practice as I am not working secretly within either of the systems mentioned. From this definition I would consider subversion then to mean a spy or informant. Someone working to against the government they are working for.

When talking about this definition specifically, a subvert would be someone working against their government. The communist movements were discussed. The US government saw these plans (even if non-existant) as subversive activities. Much like with Hitler and facist leaders anyone that opposed them could be considered a subvert. They failed to mention if it worked the other way round? Could someone opposing a more loved leader be considered a subvert if they were taking part in subversive activities? I would assume they would be as there is no mention of a subversive being specifically good or bad when it comes general morals so surely anyone or opposes any government is subversive in some way. Surely anyone that opposes the current political leader could be subversive. This bodes the question if it is subversion to just have subversive thoughts or do you have to act on it?

Another example given is the subversion of language. When english began to be used in France by French Natives their government claimed that America was subverting their language.

The article does begin to use subversion within sentences that do not seem to match the definition previously given. There is a second, simpler definition but it seems extremely broad.

a cause of overthrow or destruction

As simplified as it is, this definition still seems to me to be referencing a political subversion. Subversion through the use of revolution, protest, terror attacks. In this case is Guy Fawkes a subversive? Or is the French Revolution an example of subversion? Later down the page Merriam Webster define a Legal definition of subversion.

a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons work from within.

Guy Fawkes was within the building but not so much within the government as a member of parliament so maybe he can not be considered in this case. What he did was plan to overthrow via treason rather than subversion. Subversion in that case would have to be a political informant or politician with attempting to remove a political leader from their position maybe. None of this seems relevant to my question specifically, however.

I would assume the question posed to me is not with regards to political subversion. I would expect that, as the question was given to a group of design students, that the 'practise' mentioned is creative practise. As we are looking at subversion to see if it has an effect on creativity, the overthrowing or destruction of government doesn't seem to be relevant. I believe we are talking about subversion in a broader context. Subversion of a generalised system rather than a specific one.

In what ways can subversion develop creativity in relation to practise?