UNRAVELING Racism: Seeing White
October 4-6 and 18-20
22 North Gallery, Ypsilanti
“Turning the lens around, looking straight at white America – and at the notion of whiteness itself... You can have racism without individual racists, because systems and structures have been set up in a way that they just run this way on their own...”
– John Biewen, Scene on Radio, Seeing White, episode 1
Unraveling Racism: Seeing White
Open at 22 North Gallery for just two weekends:
22 North Huron Street, Ypsilanti
The voice of a unique art-making experience with a powerful podcast as its map, 20 Michigan artists tug at the hidden strands of systemic racism woven into the fabric of American society – focusing on whiteness.
"Where did this idea of a white race come from? For what purpose? How has the meaning of white changed? How does it function now?"
Cultivating thoughtful and informed perspectives, small groups gathered regularly across urban, rural and suburban settings to respond to the podcast, share personal experiences and create an artistic dialog around these vital issues. Inclusive, inter-disciplinary + collaborative, this lively body of work is the result.
Friday, October 4
Opening Reception 7-10pm
Saturday, October 5
Artist Talks by Miki Graznak, Azya Moore, Margaret Parker 1pm
Performance by lisa eddy 2pm
Open 1-5pm
Sunday, October 6
Artist Talks by Michael Dixon and Laura Earle 2pm
Guided Meditation by Hannah Burr 3pm
Open 1-5pm
Friday, October 18
Open 7-10pm
Saturday, October 19
Closing Reception 6-10pm
Performance by Will See 7pm
Sunday, October 20
Artist Talks by Justin Cox and Laura Earle 1pm
Performance by lisa eddy, 2pm
Open 1-5pm
Hannah Burr • Justin Cox • Phil Dewey • Michael Dixon • Autumn-Grace Dougherty • Laura Earle • lisa eddy • Miki Graznak • Donna Jackson • Rita Lee • Melanie Manos • Azya Moore • Nora Myers • Margaret Parker • Mia Risberg • Trisha Schultz • Will See • Laurie Wechter • Margi Wier • Lizzie Wilson
An Art Kettle production.
Look for us in Detroit at Norwest Gallery in January 2020.
About the Journey
The Art Kettle coordinated a unique art-making experience with a powerful broadcast as its map. John Biewen's Seeing White is a Peabody nominated series from the podcast Scene on Radio. Seeing White explores the hidden strands of systemic racism woven into the very fabric of American society. Artists listened to episodes, gathered regularly to engage in group discussion, and responded by creating their own artwork. This lively body of work will be showcased in a traveling exhibit Unraveling Racism: Seeing White. Our hope is to build understanding, inspire empathy and improve relations among a variety of communities.
Special thanks to CDS for such a powerful podcast series.
Search for “Scene On Radio” in your podcast app to discover the Seeing White series by John Biewen.