The national call of the Fall of Freedom initiative invites artists, creators and communities to take part in creative resistance and celebrate the experiences, cultures and identities that shape the fabric of our nation. Responding to this message, the UNM Maxwell Museum of Anthropology hosts a dual program Friday, Nov. 21, open to the public.
The first program will take place from 10 – 11 a.m. and is in collaboration with the UNM Honors College. It is called Lexicon of Liberty, a banned book read-in inspired by the work of UNM Honors College. It is also a chance for attendees to share—on a gallery wall—their favorite literary works or passages that embody the principles of freedom of expression and resistance to oppression in all forms. Do you have a book that’s close to your heart that has been subject to censorship? Bring it and share a portion. Between the list of banned books, written quotes, and reading suggestions, a reading list will be compiled that will serve as a Lexicon of Liberty.
The second program takes place from 11 a.m. to noon. Designing to Disrupt is a roundtable discussion on what cultural institutions and culture workers need to do to reimagine their impact and potential to disrupt the status quo. Participants will be using a deck of cards titled “Design to Disrupt” created by museum worker Chaya Arabia, a toolkit developed as part of her M.A. thesis. As Arabia has stated: “[the] disruption of the status quo is necessary to create a bridge between how things have been done and a future state that we collectively are still defining.”
For the Maxwell Museum, in particular, this is an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of our new institutional vision in this environment of social and cultural crisis. That is, how do the Museum’s “Three Rs”--- Reconcile injustices; Restoring voices; and Realizing community – garner even more urgency in this moment?
This event is open to UNM students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public.
Event details:
Who: UNM students, faculty, staff and the great Albuquerque community
When: Friday, Nov. 21
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Venue: Maxwell Museum North Gallery, University of New Mexico, Free & Open to All
Registration: Registration on our Eventbrite page here is optional but appreciated.
Contact: For media inquiries, contact the Maxwell Museum’s Curator of Public Programs Julián Antonio Carrillo (jac123@unm.edu).
