March's big idea: Art and Madness

Can subverting narrow strictures of normativity contribute to a safer world for all? This two-part event about art and madness highlights the importance of honoring mad cultural production.

Part Two, March 29th 3 PM: Collage - Art workshop!

Reimagine what mad liberation can look like. Using some of the same techniques used by the mad and surrealist artists featured in Part 1, workshop attendees will respond creatively through words and pictures to the question “Why must we hide?” Teaching artist will provide an intro to collage: placing disparate images, portions of images, materials, or objects together in a way that changes their meaning or creates new meaning.

The Library will provide supplies like scissors, glue sticks, and paint pens, as well as printed images for cutting and pasting. By mining the Library's weeded magazines and newspapers for printed material, we will re-value the "disposable." Feel free to also bring your own printed images for your project.

Optional extension activity: Participants can opt to pose for portraits (with or w. out face) with the art they create for a Library exhibition in May.

Part One 'The Surrealists' will be a presentation and screening held on March 15th at 3 PM

Topical context

Recent legislative initiatives* lay bare the dire consequences of society's centuries-long devaluation and erasure of the cultural contributions of mad artists–an indispensable segment of humanity who have always contributed great value. Mental health diagnoses are now instruments for targeted state violence and incarceration (i.e. involuntary commitment) to remove madness from public view.

Words & Pictures: Pairing books and films with big ideas

Join us for free screenings of films that demonstrate the power of art to humanize political struggle through storytelling paired with scholar talks that delve into the historic context in which the movie was made and expand our understanding of the story’s central conflict.

*Sources:

https://www.kff.org/mental-health/a-look-at-the-new-executive-order-and-the-intersection-of-homelessness-and-mental-illness/

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-condemns-trump-executive-order-targeting-disabled-and-unhoused-people