People. Politics. Planet.
Everyone talks about those topics. Soon, a pop-up exhibition will bring those controversial topics downtown Westport — and everyone’s screen, anywhere in the world.
The show — called “2020: People Politics Planet” — opens at 23 Jesup Road (next to Green & Tonic) this Saturday (October 3). It will be available online too, at www.2020pppwestport.com.
Local artists Amy Kaplan, Darcy Hicks and Janine Brown organized the exhibit, which includes artists from all over southern Connecticut. They wanted a forum for artists to be heard on themes like climate change, political division, racial oppression and COVID-19 — and a place where others could contribute to the conversation.
2020 Collage #3 (Kerry Long): photography, film scans.
“Throughout history, artists have helped society to make sense of the world,” the organizers say.
“Artwork creates opportunities for communities to engage in safe dialogue. Some of us need the escape of beauty, and others need to feel the power of bold expression.
“This exhibit is a response to the need for humanity and closeness during a time of isolation and uncertainty when it has become clear to many of us how connected we really are. We turn to the arts to help us make sense of all that we are witnessing and experiencing, to teach us things we do not know, and cannot put into words easily.”
“As we confront the realities of the world we have created, now is the time to engage in productive conversations that create understanding among each other. Sometimes art can be a starting point for difficult conversations, and it is the hope of the organizers that this exhibit will show viewers something that is thought provoking or recognizable, even though we may have different experiences.”
“Listen BLM” (kHyal): assemblage with 100% recycled and upcycled objects,
The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center and Artists Collective of Westport sponsor the exhibit. The Westport Library is involved too, planning additional programming to continue the conversation.
Over 140 works were submitted; 35. Another 32 are on the website. Artists include:
- Alicia Cobb
- Dereje Tarrant
- Guy Sealey
- Jerri Graham
- Kerry Long
- kHyal
- Louise Cadoux
- Margaret Roleke
- Mia Lipstick
- Steven Parton
- Trace Burroughs
- Liz Squillace.
The gallery will be open Thursdays (2 to p.m.), and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (12 to 6 p.m.) through November 30. Masks are required, and capacity will be limited.
To continue the conversation: Comment on Instagram (@2020PPPwestport). Or create your own art, and tag it: #2020PPPwesetport.
“America is Full of Plastic” (Louise Cadoux): Mixed media sculpture.
I am honored to be part of this great exhibit. Thank you to Amy, Darcy, and Janine for putting together such a meaningful show.
Firstly to Amy, Darcy and Janine thank you for including me in this show. I am truly grateful. Dan, thanks for writing about this and promoting it and thereby supporting local artists. It seems to be that we as a society have become obsessed with earning an accumulating wealth, bigger houses, fancier cars, more exotic travel experiences. From my limited perspective it seems like art has been relegated to one of tow things: merely decoration or whether it is a sound financial investment. I think we have forgotten that it is very often artists, not just visual artists, who are the first to challenge the status quo. Shows like this are important because they do force one to think outside of one’s own narrow perspective. Oh, and personally, thanks for supporting another Sealey.