Greetings. This blog is a part of The Sugar Project: A multidisciplinary social engagement installation being created and facilitated in Seattle, WA by (me) artist Michelle de la Vega that explores dialogue about women as commodity and how that reality manifests in our every day lives and culture.
One emerging theme is the relationship between commodity and violence. As well documented as this relationship is, and as many forward strides as women are making in other areas of our lives....the violence factor is not getting better.
As I embark on this project I've found that so many women I talk to have a story...a story about either being afraid of or having experienced violence. The ubiquity is astounding.
Since I am a "social engagement artist", endeavoring to creatively partner with community through dialogue that illuminates voices and fosters exchange, I decided to start this blog.
I'm reaching out to women to anonymously share a story in which you experienced the fear, threat or reality of violence. I believe in the sharing of stories as an ancient human healing device, as a "shared table" and agent of change. I'll be sharing my stories too.
HOW TO SHARE
To share your story:
- Click "comment" in orange at the very bottom right of this post (it will also show the number of comments to the left).
- At the bottom of the comments you will see the “Post a Comment” field.
- In the "comment as" drop-down menu select “anonymous”.
- Click into the "Post a Comment" field and write as much or as little as you need to.
PARTICIPATE IN THE SUGAR PROJECT INSTALLATION
If you feel open to including some or all of your text in the Sugar Project Installation please indicate with the word “YES” at the end of your story. No personal identities will be tracked on this blog what so ever, or used in the installation. The stories will be written in granulated sugar on the gallery floor, as you can see in the photo here.
Sugar is being used as an artistic medium in several ways in the project: As a metaphor for women as sweet commodities that exist to be consumed, as a symbol for the messages girls get from very early on to be as sweet as possible and please everyone around them, and as a globally traded commodity - as are women. Your words are a welcome addition to the creative exchange around this vital conversation.
LOCATION OF THE INSTALLATION
The Sugar Project will be exhibited in a two-gallery partnership opening on April 1, 2017 in Seattle, WA. The two spaces are Oxbow Installation Space and Bridge Productions Gallery. For more information on the project please message me via the contact page at: http://michelledelavega.com/
Thank you for being here and joining in this important conversation!
