October 5 - 26, 2024
From the organizers:
“Two Dallas-based curators, Emily Edwards and Sara Hignite, share further information on Is It Real? Contemporary Artists Address Reproductive Freedom, the first exhibition organized and mounted in the American South that directly addresses abortion access and reproductive rights with a focus on artists connected to the Southern states, a majority of whom represent marginalized communities. Organized by Hignite Projects and undertaken in partnership with ACLU of Texas, Texas Abortion Advocacy Network, Texas Equal Access Fund (TEA Fund), The Afiya Center, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Texas, and The Goss-Michael Foundation, with generous support provided by Unified Fine Arts Services and By George Partners, the show will open at Lagoon Studio in Dallas on October 5 and run through October 26, 2024.
Titled after Juanita McNeely’s important multi-panel painting, Is it Real? Yes It Is! (1969, Whitney Museum of American Art), which depicts the artist’s harrowing illegal abortion experience, the exhibition examines strategies that contemporary artists employ to address the topic of reproductive freedom. Leading with empathy and fact, and challenging often deeply rooted misinformation, the exhibition and its related programming seek to destigmatize and humanize reproductive care through the lens of Southern states where these rights are being stripped away most severely. Is It Real? makes its debut in Dallas – where Roe v. Wade was first argued in 1970 before reaching the Supreme Court in 1973 – raising awareness about increasingly strict limits on reproductive rights in Texas and across the American South, while raising funds for local organizations supporting reproductive care in this restrictive climate. Much of the US is experiencing a reproductive care emergency, from total bans on abortion to threats against birth control, Plan B, and IVF; to the horrific maternal mortality crisis, medical racism, and lack of access to life-saving medical care. Is It Real? exposes the harsh realities of the current political climate and envisions a more just country in which every human has the basic right to control their own body and determine their own future. Edwards and Hignite believe that artists are uniquely positioned to explore societal issues like reproductive freedom in unexpected ways that can transform how people think about matters that deeply impact us all. “Art provides viewers with an entry point to approach polarizing topics as well as a safe space for processing complex emotions, resulting in greater connection,” says Edwards. By debuting the exhibition in their hometown of Dallas and engaging local artists and organizations, the curators hope to build community around these issues and generate positive energy and encourage action in the collective fight for reproductive freedom in Texas and beyond. It is of deep importance to the curators to ensure the exhibition reflects the diverse community in which it is being shown.
The exhibition debuts several new artist commissions, including a Dallas-specific project by the Guerilla Girls Broadband featuring advertising posters that call attention to the lack of reproductive health care access in the state of Texas. Viva Ruiz & Aliza Shvarts collaborate on a new installation inspired by Angela Davis and Chris Burden, which serves as the backdrop for performances by the artists during the opening weekend, including a special appearance by Thank God for Abortion. Dallas-based artist Alicia Eggert recreates her neon sign sculpture OURs, originally produced in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. Sarah Jené & Jasmine Williams present a new iteration of their poignant project, How We Grow On. Originally shown at the Mississippi Museum of Art, this installation features an armchair enveloped in living moss and plants, inviting visitors to reflect on grief by writing their thoughts on seed paper, which will later be planted in the earth. In total, the exhibition will feature 30 artists from across the nation.
Exhibition-related programming includes a film series organized in partnership with Dallas microcinema Spacy and First Unitarian Church of Dallas; a sound bath experience sponsored by Sanctum Med + Wellness; artist talks in partnership with three area universities; Get Out the Vote initiatives; a resource library; and a reflection space. Admission to the exhibition and related programs are free and open to the public. Opening events will take place on Saturday, October 5th, from 5-8pm and on Sunday, October 6, at 2pm. Open hours begin October 6 through October 26: Fridays, 4-8pm and Saturdays/Sundays 1-5pm. Follow the project on Instagram @isitrealexhibition for the latest information on all programs.
Is It Real? will raise funds for TEA Fund and The Afiya Center, two Texas-based mutual aid organizations providing essential support to people needing reproductive care and related services. “Texas Equal Access Fund is thrilled to partner on this important project raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding reproductive freedom, which – along with racial justice, economic justice, and so many more intersecting issues – is impacted by elections. We’re glad to educate the community and our supporters through this partnership,” says Kamyon Conner, Executive Director. “As more states ban abortions, the lack of providers creates a devastating ripple effect that makes it even harder for Texans to access all reproductive care. Our abortion funding is a critical resource that is often the difference between abortion seekers accessing care or not. Financial support from generous donors is crucial to our ability to support the people we serve in North and East Texas.” The exhibition is an entirely grassroots effort, meaning the curators must fundraise 100 percent of the cost of the exhibition to make it happen. “We have chosen to undertake this project outside of the museum system in order to fully realize our curatorial vision,” says Hignite. She and Edwards hope to travel the exhibition to other venues across the South, to be announced at a later date, adding local artists and raising funds for local organizations in each city. Readers can visit the project website, isitrealexhibition.com, for more information, a program schedule, or to make a donation.”
On View: October 5, 2024 | 5–8 pm
1105 Lagoon Drive
Dallas, 75207 Texas
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