Diagrams and Directives’ uses Sherry Arnstein’s 1969 essay/diagram ‘A Ladder of Citizen Participation’ as an instigation for eight collectives/groups working in participatory, civic, and collaborative ways to exhibit themselves through works dealing with citizenry and (self)governance across a wide variety of disciplines.

OPENING: Sunday May 6 at 5:00pm, with a picnic potluck and a performance by the Feminist Art Group at 6:00.
VIEWING HOURS: Sat + Sun 2:00pm — 5:00pm
Wed + Thrs 4:00pm — 7:00pm

PARTICIPATING COLLECTIVES:
Social Arts Practices Network (SPAN)
Occupy Museums
Harem Haram Hamam (H.H.H. Collective)
Feminist Art Group (FAG)
Social Health Performance Club
Workers Art Coalition
Chinatown Art Brigade
CulturePush

These eight groups will realize work(s) re-imagining the ladder’s depiction of citizenship, direct democracy, and/or power distribution.

Citizen Participation: Diagrams and Directives is a practical exhibition, inviting collectives to consider the aesthetic and political forms of their internal organization and critically investigate citizen control, delegated power, partnership, placation, consultation, informing, therapy, and manipulation (the eight rungs on Arnstein’s “ladder”) through projects and pieces including participatory artworks, installation, performance, and video.

SCHEDULE of EVENTS & PERFORMANCES
(subject to change)

Sunday May 6 (5pm): Opening Picnic Potluck (5pm) and Feminist Art Group Performance (6pm)

Thursday May 10 (4-7pm): SPAN Interviews / (7-9pm:) Occupy Museums

Saturday May 12 (6-9pm): Social Health Performance Club Performances I: Dominique DuRoseau, Ayana Evans, Coco Cafe

Sunday May 13 (2pm and 4pm): Culture Push Mediated Walks

Thursday May 17 (6-9pm): Social Health Performance Club Performances II: Tropical Resources, Geraldo Mercado, Waqia Abdul-Kareem

Friday May 18 (4-6pm): Workers Art Coalition with Queens College Social Practice Program

Saturday May 19 (6-9pm): Culture Push Mediated Walks

Sunday May 20 (4pm): Culture Push Mediated Walks / SPAN Interviews

Citizen Participation: Diagrams and Directives is co-curated and co-organized by ABC No Rio Visual Arts Committee members Steven Englander and Esther Neff in collaboration with the eight participating collectives/groups. In addition to regular gallery hours, the exhibition involves participatory sessions and performance.

Citizen Participation: Diagrams and Directives is supported in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts.

ABC No Rio in Exile at Bullet Space
292 East 3rd Street (bet. C + D)
www.abcnorio.org