RANSOM: Exploring the Edges of Appropriation
About the exhibition:
Together, in collaboration with For Freedoms, we aimed to create an exhibition of work that explored the concept, implications, questions and ramifications of appropriation. Artists chose to explore the theme via cultural appropriation, land and image appropriation, through language, heritage, style and labor. Collectively, we wrestled with who benefits or profits from appropriation, if, how, and when appropriation is harmful, what its consequences are and how that may differ across the landscape of personal, societal, and political identities. Read more about RANSOM here on Seacoast Online.
This show was strictly a "not for sale show" meaning no artist or organization profited from the work created for this exhibition. We feel strongly that this topic will be explored more honestly and more fully outside of the realm of capitalism. That being said, we wholly support artists making a living from their work - but the intent of this particular effort was to provoke thought, conversation, and dialogue only.
We believe that art is a means to challenge power, privilege, and oppression. Therefore, we explicitly sought artists that represent a diverse range of thought, experience, and background. As artists, and those who engage with the arts, it is our responsibility to question and respond to the world around us. It is our duty as members of our community to participate in meaningful discourse, to listen and learn from one another.
Featured Artists:
Thank You to Our Collaborating Partners:
For Freedoms: For Freedoms is a platform for civic engagement, discourse, and direction action for artists in the United States. Since 2016, For Freedoms has produced exhibitions, town hall meetings, billboards and public art to spur greater participation in civic life.
This year, For Freedoms launched The 50 State Initiative, a new phase of programming from September through December 2018 during the lead-up to the midterm elections. Building off of the existing artistic infrastructure in the United States, For Freedoms has developed a network of artists and institutional partners who will produce nationwide public art installations, exhibitions and local community dialogues in order to inject nuanced, artistic thinking into public discourse. Centered around the vital work of artists, we hope that these exhibitions and related projects will model how arts institutions can become civic forums for action and discussion of values, place, and patriotism.
Chases Garage: Artists studios and gallery in York, Maine founded by Cait Giunta and Ned Roache. “The Seacoast has a flourishing artist community. Our goal is to support artists who are not only looking to create work, but to join in a dialogue about it. The community is a huge component of why we started this endeavor.” - Cait Giunta
RANSOM Curatorial Team:
Kristy Martino
Recovering artist, former lobyist, textile desiner, ad woman, and candystriper. Currently a storyteller and lover of pastry. Passionate about justice and generally the one in the room asking uncomfortable questions.
Claudia Maturell
Outreach Coordinator at Green Acre Bahá’í Center of Learning, and an individual with many passions, including justice, unity, good conversations, beautiful things, creative people, inspiring places, spiritual subjects and good tea.
Ned Roche
Co-Owner of Chases Garage Artist Studios & Gallery in York Beach, Maine and sometimes folds Things out of clay.
Cait Giunta
Co-founder of Chases Garage Artist Studios & Gallery and reminds herself that one day we are all going to be eaten up by the sun.
Michael Dandley
Artist living in Portsmouth, NH
Catherine Stewart
Award-winning freelance writer, director and editor with a passion for empowering people through creative arts experiences. Native of Scotland, emigrated to New Hampshire in 2012.
Allison May Kiphuth
NH Seacoast/Maine-based artist and lifelong nature enthusiast.
