[ad_1]
In the large room on the bottom floor of the Phoenix Art Museum, over 10,000 8 “x 8” cloth squares line the walls. But they are not that long.
The red and blue squares, which symbolize Republicans and Democrats, represent the artist Anne Morton’s “Violet Protest” against political polarization. And on September 5, when the exhibition is over, she and the four Jewish women who make up her project’s steering committee will pack them and deliver them to all members of the US Congress.
In January 2020, Morton called manufacturers across the country via social media and email, and if he believed it was a politician’s era like her, knitting, embroidery, crocheting, needle tips, or weaving purple. I sent a crochet square. Together, we will put an end to political division and work together to solve national problems.
“I’m tired of political divisions,” said Susan Stander, a member of the Steering Committee. “It’s time for us to work together.”
Ann Morton’s “Violet Protest” Project Square
In her opinion, it’s not just the standard. More than 2,000 Democrats, Republicans, and independents have sent about 11,000 squares so far, and by August 1, another 6,000 squares have been committed. Each square represents up to 5 hours of work. In other words, about 55,000 hours of work are on display. ..
However, a retired marketing specialist, Stander, has not shown her support in knitting or crocheting. Instead, she works with fellow Jews Beth Ames Swarts, Mitzi Clockover, and Laura Roskind to inform Morton about the artistic protest and contact elected officials in the desired audience. I’m helping.
“We’re going to bundle them (squares), and now we’re good enough to give everyone 25 to 30 squares,” Morton said.
The mayor of Phoenix, Kate Gagego, has already visited the exhibition, and the Jewish mayor has declared the day of the Violet protest on April 13.
Ann Morton’s “Violet Protest” Project Square
Democratic US Congressman Greg Stanton and Congressman Aaron Lieberman also came. In a demonstration of unity, Stanton suggested that the square should eventually be hung outside the parliamentary office.
Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Cinema are both Democrats and, like US Senators Ruben Galego (Democrat) and David Schweikert (Republican), will be on display in August. I plan to visit.
“This was an extreme networking exercise,” says Stander.
Krockover is optimistic that the goal can be achieved with the participation of some key players. “We need a little Jesus, and the dam breaks,” she said. “This is a grassroots project and an example of what democracy can offer. I just want to convey the message to elected civil servants that they are tired of polarization.”
Arizona artist Swarts, who has known Morton for 15 years, was the man who brought women to the project. Her life was to create art with purpose and even power, she said, and this project chords with her for a combination of aesthetic beauty and social value. I hit it. She said she knew in her soul that art could make a difference.
Ann Morton’s “Violet Protest” Project Square
Swarts set out to involve a woman as passionate as her in Morton’s project. It was a coincidence that they were Jews, but it was not surprising.
“Jews have always been at the forefront of humane and compassionate concerns,” Swarts said.
Krockover said he didn’t join because he thought it was a Jewish group. “These types of projects reflect our values, so it’s really part of our composition that we’re attracted to these projects.”
Standers, whose families came to the United States to escape Nazi persecution, consider the project urgent, partly because of Jewish history.
“As a Jew, the threat of discrimination, fascism and loss of democracy is very scary,” she said. But she has hope for the future — she said she must. “It’s a Jewish MO”
But it’s not just about connecting with politicians, Clockover said. This is also a community building exercise.
When she contacted the Vision Museum in San Diego to promote textile art, they booked Morton to talk about her project at a webinar scheduled for August 10.
“This is an example of how things grow organically and how strongly they resonate with people,” says Krockover.
When Morton first proposed the project to the museum after receiving the 2019 Arlene and Morton Sculpt Artist Award, which recognizes mid-sized artists in Arizona, he wasn’t sure if it would resonate with people. At that point, no one knew that next year would bring a pandemic and a fierce election season. And no one has committed the square yet.
But throughout 2020, the project continued to gain momentum.
An overview of the Phoenix Art Museum’s Violet Protest installation, the “US” is piled up in the foreground, and beyond that is the maker’s wall.
She acknowledges the museum’s achievements in working on “dangerous” projects. “I didn’t even know if people would react,” Morton said.
She works primarily in textiles, “taking in what was traditionally considered a woman’s job and turning her head to become a powerful tool for social engagement and commentary.” , You have selected that medium for your project. And she liked that violet was between red and blue on the color wheel. This is the only two colors available to the manufacturer.
“It really shows that when the opposition comes together, you can create something beautiful, a beautiful expression of hope and cooperation,” said Stander.
Morton, who is not Jewish, does not know the number of squares that may have been created by Jews. She didn’t ask and said it had nothing to do with the project. However, she is attracted to some aspects of Judaism, especially the idea of Tikkun Olam, which she feels is represented in her work.
Swarts supported the idea. “I love the idea of healing the world,” Swarts said. “It really needs it.” JN
[ad_2]