Resistance in Existence is a participatory portrait salon that invites community members to reflect on what it means to resist simply by existing. This is especially relevant when we exist in bodies, identities, or ways of life that are marginalized, surveilled, and at times, erased. The event will include a 30 minute time to have an open discussion about the topic, to bring their own thoughts and stories into the discussion. This will segway into a facilitated discussion on the importance of capturing our presence in art. Finally, then individually or in pairs if they wish, they will be photographed in tintype which will be included in the Spring Exhibit. We will discuss the ways these portraits are made as acts of witnessing their stillness, their simple presence, their refusal to be erased as an act of resistance.Participants are encouraged to bring artifacts to help them discuss the topic, this may include photos of family, heirlooms, objects from places their presence challenged dominating or oppressive systems.Some prelim questions for community members to ponder before hand will be:
- What does it mean to take up space intentionally?
- How can visibility be both dangerous and powerful?
- What does choosing stillness push back against?