a ‘momentum builder’ for sparking activism
By
Deborah Vankin
Excerpt:
“There’s never been a social movement without artists at the tip of the sphere,” says Sergant, who co-curated the exhibition with L.A. artist Glenn Kaino, Hank Willis Thomas and Michelle Woo and Oakland-based artist-activist Favianna Rodriguez. Thomas co-founded the artist-run Super PAC for Freedoms, and Woo is its director. “It takes creativity to help us see through our darkest moments, it takes artists to help us make sense of really complex situations and they always have been first to step up to speak truth to power.
“We believe we need to invite them and create space for them in these conversations and dialogues and create a bridge between the artists and the activists and those policy makers who are shaping the laws that govern us,” he adds. “I think of this space as a momentum builder.”
Artists such as Shepard Fairey, Sam Durant, Robbie Conal, Edgar Arceneaux, Ken Gonzales-Day, Swoon and Cole Sternberg, as well as emerging and student artists, donated or created new works addressing one of six themes: “Justice is a Human Right,” “Together We Rise,” “No Human is Illegal and No Human Should Feel Unsafe,” “This Moment – In History,” “Manifesting Solutions” and “Love, Peace, and Empathy.” Wall text beside many of the works includes a phone number viewers can text for information on getting involved in causes they care about. Representatives from many of the nonprofits will engage with visitors at an “action hub” adjacent to the exhibition space.
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