January 22 - February 25, 2018

Lecture: Thursday, January 25th at 5:30pm, Hillside Auditorium

During times of unrest, it becomes increasingly important to have an artist such as Sara Greenberger Rafferty. Her work explores vexing themes with the direct purpose of calling attention to social disarray. Whether addressing issues of gender through the lens of comedy or the ways in which government monitors citizens via technology, she does so with a sensibility that is trenchant and undeniable.

In an era where lunacy is championed and the line between fact and fiction has never been blurrier, it takes a level of clarity and commitment to make meaningful headway within the social landscape. Rafferty has been unwavering in her cultural critiques over the past decade. Although her work is often incisive, perhaps it’s her use of humor that allows for the work to connect with so many viewers. As a result, she creates a space to confront topics that are culturally odious. By doing so, however, she steers critical conversations and prods our collective consciousness in productive directions.

With each passing day, there seems to be a new account of sexual misconduct, political embattlement, or police brutality. While some would argue that these items are unrelated, most individuals that believe that these topics are intertwined. Gender, race, and power have long formed a triumvirate in American culture, but the contested politics of the present day haven’t been seen since the protests for racial and gender equality of the1960s and 1970s. It is still unclear whether the current situation will generate lasting change, but it’s impossible to deny the public outrage and social impact.