Own it, examine it, and confront it head on
Schedule
Fri Oct 29 2021 at 07:00 pm
Location
5701 Lewood Dr, Austin, TX 78745-3537, United States | Austin, TX
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On view October 29-November 14, 2021Opening reception Friday, October 29, 2021
Open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (or by appointment)
Free and open to all!
DORF is pleased to open its 2021–2022 exhibition season with the presentation of "Own it, examine it, and confront it head on", an interdisciplinary project featuring visual and performance art that examines rape culture, survivor justice, and healing. Rape culture is a term attributed to second-wave feminists and defined as a society or environment in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to social attitudes about gender and sexuality. Behaviors commonly associated with rape culture include victim blaming, slut-shaming, sexual objectification, degradation, trivializing rape, denial of widespread rape, refusing to acknowledge the harm caused by sexual violence and abuse, removal of autonomy, or some combination of these. This project facilitates discourse about these important issues and connects communities through three main components: a group art exhibition, public programming, and community partnerships.
Opening on October 29, the exhibition and related programming serve as visible and laudable dissent to rape culture and aim to amplify the localized conversation around sexual violence and abuse in Austin, Texas. The Austin Police Department has been in the news consistently over the past several years due to the discovery of a backlog of thousands of untested rape kits dating back to the 1990s. This project’s concept is inspired by, and a reinterpretation of, Suzanne Lacy’s 1977 performance "Three Weeks in May" in which the artist confronted LAPD’s similar indifference to active rape cases in Los Angeles at the time.
This project addresses critical issues in our community and offers an empathic space for artists and visitors to learn, process, and remove shame and stigmas associated with a difficult, but pervasive, problem in our society. The intention of this project is to help heal, empower, express solidarity, and encourage victims to speak out. If we cannot change the culture of rape easily, we can at least change the culture of shame. Art is a potent force for social change, healing, and community building.
The interdisciplinary exhibition includes the work of over twenty local and international artists, many of whom are sexual assault survivors, and whose work includes video, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, installation, animation, and performance. The group includes three generations of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, students, veterans, and community members who represent a broad range of views and experiences. DORF is honored to include the work of Suzanne Lacy and Leslie Labowitz, whose participation in Lacy’s 1977 "Three Weeks in May" inspired this project in large part.
The project’s title is inspired by a quotation by Naima Ramos-Chapman about her award-winning film "And Nothing Happened" (2016), in which the artist sheds light on rape culture and the aftermath of sexual assault.
**TRIGGER WARNING: content includes sexual assault, violence**
*DISCLAIMER: This exhibition contains adult themes and content, including nudity, sexual assault, and violence. Content may not be suitable for anyone under the age of 18 or vulnerable individuals. The exhibition is intended for mature audiences. Please view at your own discretion.*
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Christa Blackwood, Veronica Ceci, Rachel Alex Crist, Bug Davidson, Rakhee Jain Desai, Lydia Garcia, Christine Garvey, Jenn Hassin, Katy Horan, Alexis Hunter, Ru Kuwahata, Leslie Labowitz, Suzanne Lacy, Yuliya Lanina, Sadé Lawson, Eric Manche, Paloma Mayorga, Tahila Mintz, Teruko Nimura, Cruz Ortiz, Edith Valle, Sara Vanderbeek, VLM (Virginia Lee Montgomery), Cheyenne Weaver.
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Where is it happening?
5701 Lewood Dr, Austin, TX 78745-3537, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
