BREAKING SILENCE: ART AND STORYTELLING AS RESISTANCE
FEMINIST popped up in partnership with Repro Uncensored and Dream Defenders for reproductive freedom and art as resistance during Miami Art Week 2024
On December 6th, FEMINIST came together with Repro Uncensored, The Dream Defenders, Sister Song, Body Freedom for Everybody, For Freedoms, and more during Art Basel Miami for an empowering evening that combined art and advocacy to highlight the many ways art is a form of storytelling and strength. The program, located at Miami Ironside, opened up the floor for dialogue about the meaning of art in a time where reproductive freedoms are still on the line and how it helps us convey our truths – especially in a state such as Florida with strict abortion bans and a severe lack of federal and state protections for abortion seekers.
The afternoon kicked off with an exclusive screening of Romina, a short film by Paola Mendoza, an acclaimed artist and activist. The film's powerful message set a tone for the compelling conversation on the role of storytelling in reproductive freedom and the real danger of abortion bans.
After the viewing, a discussion panel continued the conversation and featured a range of voices from diverse fields, including healthcare, activism, and the arts. The panel included Kiana Tipton, Abortion in America and Charley the Chatbot , Adana Tillman, Artist, Jonel Edwards Mickles, Dream Defenders Activist, and (Rep from Florida). Moderated by FEMINIST Co-Founder Aisha Becker-Burrowes, the panel discussed the many intersections of reproductive rights, the tool of storytelling through art that can foster the mobilization of communities, and the various ways that individuals can affect social change through supporting artists.
FEMINIST Co-founders and Co-Executive Directors Ky Polanco & Aisha Becker-Burrowes hosted the activation as a way to hold space for art and abortion storytelling.
In partnership with the Dream Defenders, a major highlight of the event was the interactive art installation that attendees were invited to participate in. The community-created installation was an immersive and dynamic project designed to showcase reproductive freedom as an act of care and help share a powerful message of voices, experiences, and dreams that connect art and activism. Artist, XXX, contributed images and quotes from the day's events incorporating powerful moments from the day. The completed mural will be digitized and able to be shared across social platforms and curated into a digital zine to ensure its message reaches far beyond Miami.
Miami based artist, DELVS illustrated on-site in a community art activation and zine making. We asked attendees to draw and doodle what a future of reproductive liberation could look like.
The mural will become a zine produced in collaboration by FEMINIST & Dream Defenders.
In Florida, where there is currently a six-week abortion ban, it is vital to curate conversation in a safe environment, especially at a time where direct discussions about reproductive rights can feel unsafe. Art and activism will continue to reign strong as powerful tools in our community to build momentum, maintain strength, and envision a future that allows for reproductive freedom for everyone. This initiative is far more than just an event, it is a movement.
The Repro:UnCensored event unveiled a collection of murals by artists Tani Ikeda and Alejandra Jiminez.
Images by Sound Off Films.
Slide 1 and 2: “Allegory of Survival” on view now in Miami with @plancpills during Art Basel week. Artist: Tani Ikeda, @taniikeda, featuring portraits of @mikahsmanyblues @goddesspeacebeautiful.
Slide 3 and 4: ‘Granada’ (translated to pomegranate in Spanish) by artist Alejandra Jimenez, @pnto.cer0, now on permanent display at @ironsidemiami.
The murals were made in partnership with: @southernbirthjusticenetwork, @plancpills, @sistersong, @survivor.love.letter, @immediate.justice, @reprouncensored, @abortionpil, and Women’s Emergency Network.
