POMONA, CA.- The American Museum of Ceramic Art announces a new exhibition, We the People: Serving Notice.
Our current political and social climate is arguably one of the more divisive and turbulent periods in the past 50 years. There are feelings of anger, sadness, and fear ― but also of hope, compassion, and unity.
Throughout history, artists have reflected and documented what is happening in their communities and in society. Similarly, museums have been charged with communicating and preserving cultural values through exhibitions and collections. Together we can encourage contemplation, conversation, and action on some of the most important issues of our lifetime. Our current political and social climate is arguably one of the most divisive in the past 50 years, making now an opportune time to stand up, speak out, and serve notice.
AMOCA has invited artists from across the country to serve their notice on a current issue or topic of their choosing. Though many overlap and intersect, each artist’s response is distinctly personal and represents their unique perspective. Works are grouped thematically, and artists’ statements are exhibited alongside their work to provide further insight. Groupings include: Political Divide; Immigration; Equality: Gender & Sexuality; Racial (In)Justice; Money & Power; Forty-Five; Environment; and War.
Political Divide: In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of more than 10,000 adults, finding that Republicans and Democrats are further apart in their beliefs than at any point in recent history -- a fact that has been made apparent after the 2016 presidential election. Our political spectrum is no longer a simple measure of who you cast a ballot for and why. Instead, political parties now represent opposing views of what the United States is socially, economically, and culturally. This polarization has left many Americans on opposite sides of a rapidly growing divide, but the absence of civil discourse has not gone without notice.
Immigration: Time and time again, politicians remind the American public of our immigrant lineage, citing our diversity as our strength, and touting the United States as the “Great American Melting Pot.” Yet, the immigration debate has been on the table for over a century, with generations of policymakers debating the issue’s economic, humanitarian, and security concerns. Recently, President Trump signed a series of controversial executive orders affecting immigrant entry, border security, interior enforcement, and refugees, in an attempt to follow through on some of his campaign promises. For Californians, his proposals to build a wall along the southern border, expand the number of Border Patrol agents, and construct new detention centers hits especially close to home. It appears that now more than ever, the United States is in need of comprehensive and compassionate immigration policy reform.
Equality: Gender & Sexuality: Gender identity describes how you feel— male, female, neither, or both— and can differ from the anatomy that you were born with. Sexuality refers to people's sexual interest in and attraction to others, and is often described in relation to gender, such as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or lesbian.
Significant social movements are challenging established prejudices while supporting freedom of gender identity and sexual orientation. Advocates promote education and awareness, and challenge discriminatory measures that limit access to opportunities and resources.
Racial (In)Justice: The authors of the Declaration of Independence outlined a bold vision for America: a nation in which we the people would be both free and equal. More than two hundred years later, this vision has yet to be fully realized. Although generations of activism have led to important legal, political, and social gains, the enslavement of persons of African descent (the perpetrators of which included several of our nation’s Founders) marked the beginnings of a system of racial injustice in the United States. Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Rodney King, Freddie Gray, Alton Sterling, Tamir Rice, Philando Castille, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Emmett Till. These are just a few of the names memorialized by artists in this exhibition. As these artists honor their memory, they also emphasize that the effects of racial violence extend beyond the names that appear on TV or online.
Money & Power: Talk of corruption never seems to stray from American politics, economics, and foreign policy. A system that grants special exemptions and influence to corporations and the extremely wealthy has lead to public distrust and fearfulness that our democracy is eroding. At the least, government corruption in our elections and in our legislative bodies reduces accountability and representation in policymaking. Corruption in the judiciary suspends the rule of law. Corruption in public administration can result, among other things, in the unequal distribution of services.
Environment: The world’s scientists overwhelmingly maintain that the debate about the causes of climate change is over. With the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, 153 of the world’s nation-states agreed that: climate change is occurring; human activity is a major cause; it will get worse in the future; and that concerted global action is essential before it is too late. The emissions that impact climate change come from a variety of sources, but most are related to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gasoline. Rising temperatures are already impacting the world's ecosystems, and disruptions are projected to worsen in decades to come. On June 1, 2017, President Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the agreement, saying a withdrawal would help American businesses and workers, especially those in the fossil fuel industry.
Forty-Five: Billionaire television personality and businessman Donald Trump ran an unconventional presidential campaign. His controversial promises tapped into the frustrations of millions of Americans who felt their concerns were being neglected by established politicians. Trump chose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, a career Congressman and Governor with close ties to the Tea Party, and a reputation for conservative social policies. The Forty-Fifth President won the general election on November 8, 2016, against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. At 70, Trump became the oldest and wealthiest person ever to assume the presidency, the first without prior military or government service, and the fifth to have won the election despite losing the popular vote. His inauguration and policies sparked numerous protests, uniting many of our nation’s activist fronts.
War: War is the foundation for much of the world’s history. Many of us grew up with stories and history lessons about wars and conflicts of the 20th century, namely the World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. While the U.S. waged a war in Vietnam 50 years ago with 2.7 million conscripted men, less than half of 1% of the U.S. population is in the armed services today — the lowest rate since before World War II. America's recent wars were authorized by a Congress whose members have the lowest rate of military service in history, led by four successive Commanders-in-Chief (Clinton, W. Bush, Obama, Trump) who never served on active duty. The effects of war are far-reaching and often devastating for both military personnel and civilians. For veterans, lasting effects of military service can include both mental and physical injuries -- frequently unaddressed, underserved, or overlooked by healthcare initiatives and by the public.
