rEvolution: We The Light with Joyce Lee

rEvolution: We the Light investigates issues of government, power and authority—particularly social and individual experiences of control and freedom from it. Inspired by the historic words “We the People,” we embody light as a visual metaphor for the journey one takes to break free. We examine historical revolution from Christian art and traditional depictions of war through Francisco Goya’s painting, “The Third of May 1808.” We contemplate this work in conjunction with contemporary works that wrestle with similar issues, namely stop-motion animations by William Kentridge and PostSecret, a mail art project by Frank Warren.

Through this exploration, we construct a world where darkness and control transform into freedom and illumination. Using an interdisciplinary process of performance and green-screen video projection, we build an art installation based on the freight elevator at the Armory. We aim to see layered connections that exist between past and present, high and low visual cultures, political and personal, reality and portrayed realities. Simultaneously, we acknowledge both the ideal and imperfect in the world… building on common hopes for a better one, while accepting different views of how the world should be.

Project Blog

Student Artist:
Christine Zuercher, University of Dayton

Youth Participants:
Emily Coughlin, Oakwood
Chanel Gillespe-McFarland, Dayton
Brianna Manco, Centerville
Madison Morrow, Trotwood
Victoria Postway, Huber Heights
Abigail Riffle, Kettering
David Rodriguez, Beavercreek
Keionna Seabrook, Kettering
A.C. Taylor, Dayton