Final answer:
Art with a racist aesthetic can harmfully depict racial groups by using stereotypes, misrepresenting political power and racial domination, and by the systemic exclusion of certain racial perspectives in the industry. The use of visual elements and symbolism in these artworks contribute to the perpetuation of racial hierarchies and stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Art that employs a racist aesthetic can represent racial groups and their relations in various harmful ways. Firstly, it may reinforce stereotypes and broad generalizations, depicting certain races in overly simplified and often negative ways. For example, certain racial groups might be valorized at the expense of others. Secondly, such art might present a skewed vision of political power and racial domination, with clear lines drawn between conquerors and the conquered, thus cementing certain views of superiority and inferiority in the minds of viewers. Lastly, by systematically excluding the experiences and perspectives of certain racial groups, the industry itself can perpetuate a form of racism, teaching audiences to value certain narratives over others.
The impact of these representational choices extends beyond the art itself, influencing societal attitudes and beliefs. Visual elements, while creating aesthetic effects, have implications for how we understand race relations and power dynamics. When films, for instance, leave out Black characters, they create an implied statement that Black perspectives are neither essential nor profitable, thereby contributing to the systemic racism within the film industry. Symbolism and arrangement in artworks can also convey messages about racial hierarchy, such as when figures of a particular race are depicted with less nuance or visibility, or when placed in subservient positions relative to others.