Harrison Bergeron, a novel by Kurt Vonnegut jr. shown here as an animated reading. This was a project for a student gallery show in the This & That Galleries of the University of Wyoming's department of Visual Art. The show opened in the spring of 2016 under the title of "Equal Access." The statement for the show is found below along with a link to watch the video.
The Video was originally played, but not shown to the public, as the television that played it faced the back wall of the gallery, and the doorway was blocked with chicken wire which allowed the viewer to hear, but not see the show. For an explanation of that setup, please read the statement.
The Video was originally played, but not shown to the public, as the television that played it faced the back wall of the gallery, and the doorway was blocked with chicken wire which allowed the viewer to hear, but not see the show. For an explanation of that setup, please read the statement.
Setup of video exhibit. View shows the back of the tv from the doorway, which was caged shut with chicken wire. The television and the DVD player were placed on pedestals. Television included internal speakers, so the video (which played on a loop) was audible from doorway.
MOBILE DEVICES: CLICK HERE |
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Statement: |
EQUAL ACCESS
An Equation
PART 1
Society today longs for equality. It demands it as a right that all are treated equally, and society makes the demand that in all things, each person’s life and opportunities will not be more or less than another’s; not limited by race, sex, gender, age, intelligence, ability, or belief. The government is to enforce equality, demands society.
PART II
Society today celebrates diversity. We are to embrace diversity to such an extent that we make all those who are diverse also equal; and not limited by race, sex, gender, age, intelligence, ability, or belief. The government is to preserve diversity, says society.
Is it possible to achieve equality in any way but by destroying diversity?
Is it possible to achieve equality in any way but through reduction of ability? By handicap?
This exhibition was hidden from the viewer in the hopes that the viewer will feel comfort in his or her equality with other viewers in their non-viewing experience. By allowing nobody into the room to see the television, the chicken wire acts as a great equalizer to all kinds of vision and mobility. To achieve utter equality in viewing access, the artist has decided to block viewing privileges so that no one might feel less able to see this work than another person at any time.
An Equation
PART 1
Society today longs for equality. It demands it as a right that all are treated equally, and society makes the demand that in all things, each person’s life and opportunities will not be more or less than another’s; not limited by race, sex, gender, age, intelligence, ability, or belief. The government is to enforce equality, demands society.
PART II
Society today celebrates diversity. We are to embrace diversity to such an extent that we make all those who are diverse also equal; and not limited by race, sex, gender, age, intelligence, ability, or belief. The government is to preserve diversity, says society.
Is it possible to achieve equality in any way but by destroying diversity?
Is it possible to achieve equality in any way but through reduction of ability? By handicap?
This exhibition was hidden from the viewer in the hopes that the viewer will feel comfort in his or her equality with other viewers in their non-viewing experience. By allowing nobody into the room to see the television, the chicken wire acts as a great equalizer to all kinds of vision and mobility. To achieve utter equality in viewing access, the artist has decided to block viewing privileges so that no one might feel less able to see this work than another person at any time.