Free and open to the public.
Art as Civic Ritual is a Long-Table discussion, a participatory, non-hierarchical conversation for, with, and among the public about art making as a ritual for civic work, and a process for radical democracy. Featured guests -- artists, activists, and civic leaders Tonika Lewis Johnson, Faheem Majeed, Bindu Poroor, and Gibran Villalobos join the conversation to thicken and galvanize our dialogue.
Art as Civic Ritual is presented as part of “Exorcism = Liberation”, a public art project by Puerto Rican-born, Brooklyn-based artist Yanira Castro / a canary torsi that investigates our relationship to land, self-determination, migration, and climate disaster.
Through collective citywide experiences in New York City, Chicago, and the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, the project invites the American public to imagine alternative futures through the lens of Puerto Rican culture and the U.S.’ ongoing colonial history. “Exorcism = Liberation” utilizes familiar forms of political media campaigns to immerse the public in sonic experiences, distributing stickers, posters, handmade banners, lawn signs and pins through local community and art organizations.
“Exorcism = Liberation” is an act of intervention, a rehearsal for collective action during a critical American election. To learn more about the project visit exorcism-liberation.net.
“Exorcism = Liberation” is stewarded locally by @esschicago in Chicago. The project is made possible by the generous support of @creative_capital, a 2024 NYSCA/NYFA Interdisciplinary Artist Fellowship, a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant, and @lmcc_nyc’s Arts Center Residency.
