WASHINGTON, DC.- The National Museum of Women in the Arts presents El Tendedero/The Clothesline Project, D.C., an exhibition by Mexico City-based artist Mónica Mayer, on view through January 5, 2018. The exhibition invites visitors to leave comments about violence against women by asking questions including, “As a woman, where do you feel safe? Why?” and “Have you ever experienced violence or harassment? What happened?” Participants write their responses on small pink cards, which are then hung on a clothesline.

As a result, Mayer transforms the clothesline, a traditionally feminine object, into a tool designed to engage the community and facilitate a dialogue around women’s experiences—including topics such as sexual harassment and domestic violence.

“With sexual exploitation dominating the current news and the now viral #MeToo social media campaign, newly empowered women are talking publicly about being mistreated by men, a topic that was once left in the shadows,” said Director of Public Programs Melani N. Douglass. “Activism via art projects, social media and blog posts can create more awareness and inspire more women to speak out. We are grateful to Mónica Mayer for using her Clothesline Project to address these issues, particularly now when they are so timely.”

Among the comments left on the clothesline so far, one woman noted, “I called the police once on a man beating a woman on the street. I’ve taken friends to the shelter. I raise my son without violence and talk about this often.” Another participant responded that she has often been a victim of sexual harassment: “Guys grabbing my breasts on the street. Getting cornered and forced into small spaces where I had to fight my way out.” And another women noted that, “No place is safe. I wasn’t safe at work or home as cyber tactics and other tools were used (against me).” And finally a woman said she had to “quit her job and leave town.”

Since 1978, Mayer has been implementing El Tendedero/The Clothesline Project in various museums and communities throughout the United States, Mexico and South America, asking women from different economic classes, ages and professions to respond to the statements related to where they live. The site-specific installation documents the project’s results by using content created through community outreach, inviting visitors to add their voices and experiences to the clothesline.

Mayer offered workshops to D.C.-area artists, activists and advocates working on issues of violence against women in September. NMWA sponsored a workshop with more than 20 participants at the House of Ruth, which is an organization that helps women, children and families in greatest need and with very limited resources build safe, stable lives and achieve their highest potential. NMWA also hosted La Clinica del Pueblo—an organization which seeks to build a healthy Latino community through culturally appropriate health services—for a bilingual workshop with Mayer. Both groups helped to create the framing questions for the exhibition and other materials which are included in the presentation of El Tendedero at NMWA. The exhibition is bilingual, offering all text in both Spanish and English.

In addition, artists and activists from D.C. and Baltimore participated in a working session with Mayer to discuss the project and the parallels to their own work. They also explored how they could implement the Clothesline model in their respective communities.