Democracy in America: The National Campaign
September 21 – 27, 2008, Noon to 10 PM Daily
Opening Sunday September 21, 2 to 10 pm
643 Park Avenue at 66th Street
www.creativetime.org/democracy
Creative Time in association with Park Avenue Armory presents Democracy in America: The National Campaign
ARTISTS INCLUDE: Erick Beltrán, Center for Tactical Magic, Critical Art Ensemble, Annabel Daou, dB Foundation, Hasan Elahi, Feel Tank, Luca Frei, Chitra Ganesh + Mariam Ghani, Group Material, John Hawke, Sharon Hayes, Jenny Holzer, Kenneth Tin-Kin Hung, InCUBATE, Magdalena Jitrik, Matt Keegan, Jon Kessler, Olga Koumoundouros + Rodney McMillian, Steve Lambert, Ligorano/Reese, Pia Lindman, Rachel Mason, Carlos Motta, Angel Nevarez + Valerie Tevere, Trevor Paglen, Cornelia Parker, Jenny Polak, Steve Powers, Greta Pratt, Paul Ramírez Jonas, Red76, Duke Riley, Martha Rosler, Dread Scott, Allison Smith, Chris Sollars, Chris Stain, Mark Tribe, United Victorian Workers, Chu Yun, and more.
After traveling across the country to glean perspectives from artists and activists on the state of democracy, Creative Time’s year-long program Democracy in America: The National Campaign will culminate in the “Convergence Center”: a major exhibition in the historic rooms of New York City’s landmark Park Avenue Armor with speeches on democracy by artists, political thinkers, community leaders, and activists throughout its run.
EVENTS
A diverse group of political thinkers, writers, theorists, cultural producers, and local activists such as The Yes Men, Reverend Billy, Allison Smith, and Rachel Mason will be invited to give speeches and performances throughout each day the Convergence Center is open. These orations will address topics that change day to day, and punctuate activity in the Wade Thompson Drill Hall—a 38,000-square-foot participatory and social space akin to a public park in scale and accessibility during the course of the show. Visit www.creativetime.org/democracy for scheduling details.
MOBILE PROJECTS
Creative Time’s two mobile, participatory projects will travel to parks in Brooklyn and Queens before convening at the Democracy in America Convergence Center at Park Avenue Armory. The Center for Tactical Magic’s anarchist ice cream truck the Tactical Ice Cream Unit will roll through the city in an act of intervention that replaces cold stares with frosty treats and nourishing knowledge. Angel Nevarez + Valerie Tevere’s Another Protest Song invites the public to sing political karaoke.
NATIONAL COMMISSIONS
Performative public art commissioned by Creative Time from Sharon Hayes, Rodney McMillian + Olga Koumoundouros, Steve Powers, and Mark Tribe took place in six cities across the nation this summer, presented collaboratively with local partners the Blanton Museum of Art, LACE, the Oakland Museum of California, the Walker Art Center, UnConvention, and Dialog:City. Each of these projects, which explored the history and current state of politics and radicalism in this country, will be presented at the Convergence Center.
CREATIVE TIME
Creative Time presents the most innovative art in the public realm. From our base in New York City, we work with artists who ignite the imagination and explore ideas that shape society. We initiate a dynamic conversation among artists, sites, and audiences, in projects that enliven public spaces with free and powerful expression.
The Democracy in America Convergence Center is produced in association with Park Avenue Armory, with generous media support from WNYC and flavorpill.
Support for Democracy in America: The National Campaign is generously provided by Altria, American Center Foundation, Lawrence Benenson, Creative Link for the Arts, Cristina Enriquez-Bocobo, Fifth Floor Foundation, Emily Glasser and William Susman, Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, Agnes Gund, Peggy Jacobs, Richard J. Massey, The Peter Norton Family Foundation on behalf of Eileen Harris Norton, Aaron Sosnick, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and Amanda Weil.
Creative Time is funded through the generous support of corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. We gratefully acknowledge public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; the New York State Council on the Arts, a State agency; New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn; and New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane.
