Earlier this month more than one-hundred artists, curators, and galleries signed a letter that proposed the J20 Art Strike, a measure calling for American art and cultural institutions to close on January 20th, the day of the presidential inauguration. Signees, including feminist artists Cindy Sherman, Marilyn Minter and Barbara Kruger see the closings as a way to “combat the normalization of Trumpism – a toxic mix of white supremacy, misogyny, xenophobia, militarism, and oligarchic rule.”
Other artists and institutions believe that the way to voice resistance against Trump is not to close but to hold special events and programs that encourage social activism and promote critical thinking surrounding the election. In New York City, at The Untitled Space gallery, a feminist art exhibition will be on view from 10am to 6pm on Friday. UPRISE/ANGRY WOMEN features the work of eighty different women responding to the election.
Over at Metropolitan Pavilion the Outsider Art Fair will host “The Barack Obama Readings” a project that invites fair attendees to recite quotes from a curated selection of fifty-six passages of the outgoing commander-in-chief’s speeches, interviews, and appearances. Readings will take place from 3 – 5pm. Those who participate will gain free entry to OAF that day. You can sign up by emailing info@outsiderartfair.com. Both the Whitney and the New Museum will be open during normal hours and free on Friday and the former will have a full day of talks from artists, writers, and activists who will “affirm their values to resist and reimagine the current political climate as part of the museum’s “Speak Out on Inauguration Day” event. The Queens Museum will be open from 12pm – 2pm to hold a space for sign-making in preparation for the New York City protests.
Check out the official J20 website for an ongoing list of galleries and institutions that will be closed or holding special events on January 20th.
