Why have you chosen to participate in Manifest Equality?
We support the project. Closer to home, there are so many inequalities ravaging my country. I was born in Venezuela. We were all ready making works that revolve around this concept to begin with. Why wouldn't we participate in an exhibition that focused on such a simple request?
Describe a bit about your submission to the gallery or the creative process you put into it.
The piece we submitted to the exhibition is titled "Tragic Days". A stylized landscape of the barrios in the valley of Caracas. Basically depicting the beautiful and colorful up beat country that is surrounded with ill will. Some things are beautiful, underneath you might find another tale, you might find more grime, something you never intended to discover walking about that day.
What else would you like to manifest?
Manifest Intellect.
:: visit She Kills He's site ::
Why have you chosen to participate in Manifest Equality?
Because i believe that if some of us don't have civil liberties, then really none of us do.
Describe a bit about your submission to the gallery or the creative process you put into it.
It's a full-planet, pseudo-disco ball that is made out of multiple transparent colors which rely on each other to create even more colors, harmoniously. i like the idea that our skulls are kind of like planetariums: from the outside they are a solid mass, but inside there's infinite potential.
What else would you like to manifest?
An end to multiple on-going wars, affordable non-discriminatory healthcare, bipartisanship and good vibes.
:: check out Maya's site ::
Why have you chosen to participate in Manifest Equality?
The issue of marriage equality has become so divisive in our culture that I feel people need to quiet their minds and really ponder what it means to society as a whole that we still have institutionalized discrimination against SOME of our own American brothers and sisters. Art has the capability of making powerful social commentary. In contrast to the noisy chatter of the talking heads we hear daily, attempting to sway our opinions on any particular current issue, the quiet introspection that comes from one's interaction with art can lead to heartfelt and honest and well thought out personal and political change.
Describe a bit about your submission to the gallery or the creative process you put into it.
I based my piece for Manifest Equality on my primary artform: the ketubah, or Jewish wedding contract, which is a ritual document required at any Jewish wedding. While the wording of the traditional ketubah text is quite contractual (and written entirely in ancient Aramaic), the text on this piece is a re-working of the text from my own ketubah which I created for my commitment ceremony in 1994. For me, it is refreshingly free of proscriptive gender roles, and describes with grace and clarity a commitment between any two individuals--regardless of gender. It doesn't "re-define" marriage, but broadens it in a way that can be liberating for men and women, non-gay and gay alike.
There is a reference to the "gay agenda", a term which has been hijacked and grossly misdefined by those opposed to equality. One of my goals with this piece is to reclaim it as my own, without the insulting and homophobic baggage that many would ascribe to it.
What else would you like to manifest?
A world where diversity is respected and not feared.
:: see more of Robert's work at his site ::
Why have you chosen to participate in Manifest Equality?
The Manifest series of art shows has been an incredibly powerful force not only in supporting social/political change but also has united a very unique group of talented artists from many different styles, ages and locations. Equal rights to all is something I believe very strongly in and am very thankful to be a part of this.
Describe a bit about your submission to the gallery or the creative process you put into it.
I have tendency to create work that is sometimes very sarcastic and cynical. These shows have really challenged me to look past that a bit and create works that are much more positive and hopefully are seen as empowering. The piece I made for the show is of 2 married, interracial gay men holding hands in rainbow combat fatigues looking out at the viewer with their heads held high and without ranks. I wanted to create something that tackled a few topics but in a triumphant manner rather than a spiteful one.
What else would you like to manifest?
Compassion and acceptance of all people and the coming together of ideas that encourage long term intelligent problem solving on a humanitarian and ecological level rather than of unethical and thoughtless short term profits.
:: visit Scot's site ::
We want to thank these participating artists for dedicating their time, energy and creativity to make MANIFESTEQUALITY a reality.
For press information contact: Jennifer Gross - Evolutionary Media Group 323 658 8700 jennifer@emgpr.com
For questions, comments or to find out more contact: info@manifestequality.com