W alking around downtown Toronto with an over-sized oster to collect signatures from strangers is not a simple task, especially when the theme is, “Social awareness and prevention of sexual assault;” however, 80% of people whom I asked to sign the poster agreed to do it; in-contrast to the 80% of sexual assault cases that are unreported in Canada (Ontario Women’s Justice Network, 2004). When carrying this poster, do I have to be ‘the artist’, ‘the activist’, or can I be myself and react as I would naturally to the project and the people participating in the project? |
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bryn ludlow.
on related topics
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I filmed the paper flowing naturally in the wind and thought of the Gates, by Christo and Jean-Claude (2005). I remember the experience of walking under them, standing beside them, jumping to touch them, and watching them from afar, flip and twist and hang over the walkways of Central Park in New York City.
Each “Gate” was a mark in time, and in contrast, my “mobile installation” is also a mark in time. Sexual Assault is a mark in time as well, but it is often not a topic that is so openly presented or talked about in public. Each marker: the Gates, my poster and a sexual assault is stored into long-term memory forever. My poster, like the Gates and like many survivors of sexual assault, is a mark in time, but also a statement of social justice and activism, and of course, an art object.
I discovered that the citizens of Toronto know what rape is, and they are not scared to sign a poster showing their support for sexual assault advocacy. Society does not often hear or see articles or artwork illustrating the prevalence of sexual assault, so it becomes taboo to talk about and stigmatized as much as issues such as poverty, abortion, homelessness and drug addiction. With the high rate of sexual assault, as with poverty and homelessness etc., it is our job to create awareness for safe and positive change. Hopefully, this mobile poster installation project has stirred up some conversations with the participating ’signees’ and has fostered a deeper awareness of the issues connected to sexual assault as well as the fact that we cannot be silent.
Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth. — Anonymous
click on the image below to view the documentary filmed by Bryn Ludlow
"Bryn Ludlow was selected as the recipient of the artistic presentation award of recognition at the 2009 Social Determinants of Youth Sexual Health Student Symposium recently, for demonstrating exemplary participation in youth sexual health work in her presentation of the They Were, S/He Was, I was, I will Be project. The Selection Committee for the award was comprised of representatives from the Centre for Urban Health Initiatives (CUHI), the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Toronto Public Health. Presentations were scored and ranked according to how well they demonstrated exemplary quality, creativity, relevance to conference foci and appeal to youth. Bryn’s outstanding commitment and dedication to youth sexual health work was apparent in her presentation and the Selection Committee was unified in their decision to name her as their top nomination."
artwork from the cover of "Aware" /
The artists of these five pieces worked collectively in the group for "Queer Survivors of Sexual Assault" at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/ Multicultural Women Against Rape, that was facilitated by Bryn Ludlow and Deborah Singh
links to related materials and reports
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