This is the latest artistic venture I have entered into. When I decided to be a part of it, I did not realize the event's prominence or the professionals I'd be working with. I simply wanted to do something to give back, something that could effect change on a global level. I am excited and nervous as I work on my piece for this show. Read more about it here:
Nazi Germany. Cambodia. Armenia. Kurdish Iraq. Rwanda. Bosnia Kosovo. Darfur. Modern history is rife with the horrors of genocide, which leave the survivors haunted and even silenced by the atrocities for most if not all of their lives. And yet it has been through the arts – expressive, visual, and cinematic – that the stories of resistance and renewal have found life so as to offer remembrance of the sacrifices of so many and to celebrate the power to overcome by so many more.
Speaking the Unspeakable, a traveling multi-media exhibition designed to give voice to women survivors of the rapes and massacres in Rwanda in 1994. Speaking the Unspeakable, which will be staged in the lobby and back gallery of Project Artaud Theatre, will feature photographic displays of women who survived the 1994 genocide, large text displays of their personal testimonials, sculptures commissioned for this event by prominent Bay Area artists, a 10 minute film loop of Rwandan women talking about rape and AIDS, an ambient soundscape, and staged readings of the stories of Rwandan survivors featuring local professional actors and HIV positive women from WORLD before each dance performance. Local artists participating in the exhibit include Lorriane Bonner, Patti Boss, Cari Campbell, Cindra Feuer, Susan Garcia-Lorca, Stephanie Ann Johnson, KRISTINE MAYS, Hilary Springfield, and Jon Wallen. On Saturday, March 25 at 3pm a roundtable discussion will take place with the participating artists and representatives from the organizing groups.
Speaking the Unspeakable has been created in response to rape survivors’ desire to testify about their experiences and to educate future generations about gender based violence and it links to the spread of the AIDS epidemic. Speaking the Unspeakable arose from the work of three non-governmental organizations: Women’s Equity in Access to Care and Treatment (WE-ACTx), Survivors Fund (SURF) and the Rwandan-based Association of Genocide Widows (AVEGA-Est). Bluethenthal and co-curator Anne-christine d’Adesky are working to launch this exhibit. After Project Artaud Theatre, Speaking the Unspeakable goes on tour here and abroad, keeping alive the voices and stories of women survivors while creating bonds of solidarity with organizations and audiences around the world.
WE-ACTx is an international community-based initiative that was launched by frontline AIDS physicians, activists and researchers with extensive experience in caring and advocating for HIV-positive women. WE-ACTx was founded by Anne-christine d’Adesky, who serves as co-curator of Speaking the Unspeakable. The primary goal is to increase women's and children's access to HIV testing, care, treatment, support, education and training in resource-limited settings at the grassroots level. WE-ACTx is committed to helping survivors of genocidal rape and sexual violence. WE-ACTx began working in Rwanda in early 2004 to provide HIV care to genocide rape survivors, in active partnership with the Rwandan government and five local NGO partners. The focus is on empowering HIV-positive women and girls to take charge of their lives and become leaders in the fight against AIDS.
For more than six years SURF has helped survivors of the Rwandan genocide deal with and recover from the tragedies of 1994, supporting a wide range of services for victims in Rwanda, and assisting survivors in the United Kingdom. Funded by a variety of organizations and individuals, SURF acts as a channel to distribute financial assistance to groups, individuals and charitable organizations in the day-to-day operations of bringing the people of Rwanda hope, safety, and a decent standard of living.
“As artists, we come together to create a unified, affirming cry of support with the people of Rwanda and all those who have suffered the horrors of genocide.”
WHO:
Anne Bluethenthal Dancers, WE-ACTx, SURF, and AVEGA-Est.
WHAT:
Reflections on Genocide: Launch of traveling exhibition on genocide, Speaking the Unspeakable, featuring world premiere of Anne Bluethenthal’s Unsing the Song
WHEN
Thursday, March 23 - Saturday, March 25, 8pm
Sunday, March 26, 1pm
WHERE:
Project Artaud Theatre, 450 Florida Street @ 17th Street, San Francisco
HOW MUCH:
$25 general; $20 in advance/student/senior; $10 children under 12 years
TICKETS:
ODC Theater Box Office, 3153 17th Street or 415-863-9834; ticketweb.com
WEB:
www.abdproductions.org
