Created Equal: The American Dream is an art exhibit Elaine Kessler Photography hosted on June 8, 2014
Created Equal is intended to be series of trigger exhibits and Created Equal: The American Dream was the inaugural event. A trigger exhibit, as produced here, is an interactive art exhibit designed to trigger conversation with conversation designed to trigger civic action.
Different art forms with varying points of view on The American Dream were presented for participant consumption. Facilitators–2 attorneys and a life coach–asked participants questions to get them engaged with the art, politics and each other. Additional questions dotted the exhibit which could be answered using sticky notes given at the time of arrival.
Artists included a band, a rapper, 2 painters, 4 photographers and 2 mixed media + sculpture artists. The “Action-ator,” or the organizer of civic action offered resources to further participants’ interests and goals. We also had someone on hand to quickly search for answers to any civic inquiries made.
Participants at the first Created Equal: The American Dream included entrepreneurs, franchise owners, artists, educators, non profit leaders, executives and students. The opportunity to share space, dialogue and ideas for community action spanned a wide spectrum of ideologies and worldviews. The art was thought provoking, the conversation was rich and the response and takeaways were great!
In addition to the art pieces presented, Elaine Kessler Photography offered the following pieces for review titled “The Healer and the Hunter.” This three image installation piece offered the American Dream of a physician who regularly hunts in Africa.
Future Created Equal trigger exhibits will focus on education, immigration, health care, minimum wage, and voting. Venues will concentrate in Gilbert, AZ for 2014 and the series will expand as community involvement and support grows.
Artists and facilitators interested in joining the movement should contact me, Elaine, at elaine@elainekesslerphotography.com.
