Curated by Zoe Cinel
Trump Backward-Forward is collective show that took place in Gallery 148 at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in February 2017. It featured 12 artists from different cultural backgrounds who use a variety of media.
Featured Artists:
Daniel Ploof - digital collage
Essma Imady - multimedia installation
Jacob Yeates - illustration
Jennifer Jurgens - interactive installation
Jonathan Herrera - print and paper making
Samantha Russell - sculpture
Sishir Bommakanti - illlustration
Shun Yong - photography
Piotr Szyhalski - multimedia interactive installation
Zoe Cinel - multimedia interactive installation, social practice installation
Sherry Muyuan Lara He - social practice installation
Maria Josè Castillo - social practice installation
Invited participant were asked to created a new work in response to the current socio-political climate of the post-Trump-election.
Looking back at history and, in particular, at the singular case of Italy and its four times Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, this show urges people reflect on consequences of corruption, and the effect of populism in politics on the cultural identity of a nation.
How have these factors affected and continue to affect the socio-economical system, the culture and the educational system in Italy? What similarities can be found with the contemporary American scenario? Is it possible to invert this process? Looking forward to a more equal future; what reaction will make that future possible? The answer: critical thinking; prevention is always better than a cure.
During Trump Backward-Forward Gallery 148 was transformed into a space of dialogue that hosted events like a reading night where Chance Lunning, Frenchy Lunning, Gretchen Gasterland-Gustaffson and Christopher Schuldt performed selected text about the socio-cultural context, and a panel discussion with the artists, moderated by Damon Stanek.
The exhibition promotes collaboration, dialogue and information as a way to critically act against the system in order to build a more inclusive society.
Discover more about this project:
Press:
Sherry He, Resist, Edible participatory installation (green tea cookies)