ESSAY RESPONSE
In his essay
‘Conversion and Empowerment in Contemporary Community Art’, Grant Kester begins
by primarily exploring the differences between public and community art. He
considers that the ‘public artist most commonly interacts with urban planners, architects,
and city agencies’ whereas the ‘community-based public artist more commonly
interacts with social service agencies and social workers’ thus defining
‘community art’ as having a more profound affect towards the community it is
empowering. My first thought when reading this introduction was that of ‘how
can we find a middle ground between these two concepts?’ What Kester goes on to
explore is the collaboration between a person defined as an ‘artist’ who is
understood to be ‘empowered creatively’ and a given subject who is defined as a
person who does not have said ‘empowerment’. Perhaps this is the middle ground where
through art is created via the communication of those who face social
oppression and an artist who may speak on their behalf.
When further exploring this essay an element that struck me was the
concept of the ‘artist’ speaking on behalf of the community. I wonder who may
be defined as an ‘artist’ or an ‘activist’ and if it may come down to the
concept of social privilege providing the ability to give voice to an
individual. An example that strengthens this consideration is that of Alfredo
Jaar’s 1992 exhibition ‘One or Two Things I Know About Them’ in which he
displayed the work conditions of female workers in Bangladesh by displaying portraits
of Bangladeshi women with sexist and racist quotes taken from a factory owner. Jaar
as an artist was able to attempt to create stimulation through these pieces;
however, the women photographed were incredibly offended and asked for the
exhibition to be taken down. Although the premise of the exhibition strikes me
as powerful, as an outside eye I would consider that a voice from one of the
photographed women rather than from Jaar as a representative would have proved
more prominent. However, it can certainly be said that due to social issues the
voice of one of the workers would not have been applicable, thus demonstrating
Kester’s need for community art to be an artist meeting a community.
I did not march this weekend.
I have felt in complete despair since the election of a person who represents so much hate and regressiveness into such a high seat of power. On Friday it all felt far too real. It felt as though there was a thick black smoke seeping through my veins and swirling around in my chest. As a woman, as an artist I do not know how to exist in my body at this moment in history. I desire to break myself open and release my spirit far away from this world.
I love my brothers and sisters who marched on my behalf this weekend. I am moved by the high numbers of individuals who participated. And it must be understood that I will not allow my eyes to adjust, I will portray resistance and fight. However, I felt incredibly fragile this weekend. As someone with a chronic mental illness that makes me incredibly prone to panic attacks and feeling overwhelmed particularly in crowds I made the decision to look after myself. And instead create my own form of protest that would aid my mental stability as well as move forward in what it is that I as an individual want to protest.
Instead of marching I sent in an application to volunteer at Planned Parenthood.
I want to contribute to the fight to provide medical rights for women at this frightening time. I want to protect my sisters and their bodies.
Instead of marching I worked on a theatre piece that I am developing. It is a one woman show portraying one of America's greatest female heroes and her symbol as a representative for every woman who strives to succeed professionally in our overwhelmingly patriarchal world. My production team is all female. I want to provide a safe space for women to voice their pain and emotions during this time.
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