Human Beings as exhibition objects are nothing new when you think about it. Performance art, and its sub-category body-art exists at the latest since the Dada movement; and since the 1960s it is an accepted art form. Just think about Joseph Beuys with “How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare” (1965), and Chris Burden's performance piece “Shoot” (1971), in which he was shot in his left arm by an assistant. Or Gilbert and George's "Living Sculpture" performance (also 1971), just to name a few.
Recently, I would even count the natural birth in the Microscope Gallery in Brooklyn as a piece of performance art (see: http://www.microscopegallery.com/?page_id=8180)!
The Ottawa Public Library, in corporation with CBC Ottawa (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) take this approach now to a new level: A Human Library.
On Saturday, January 26th, 2013, at five different branches of the Ottawa Public Library, readers are invited to try out one of the 38 living books that have been lined up for the day. It is not really a performance, but rather a documentary with real people and real conversations.
The selection of “books” available looks very exciting, like e.g. a Mother of eight, an Algonquin
Spiritual Advisor, a Sex Worker, a Chinese Adoptee, and an Urban Inuk. People from the National Capital Region have volunteered to be a “living book”, to share their stories and answer questions from readers.
Launched in Denmark in 2000, the Human Library was a way to focus on anti-violence, encourage dialogue and build relations. It has grown in popularity with 27 countries taking part in 2008, including Brazil, China, Columbia, Cyprus, Malaysia and South Africa.
Facts:
Date: Saturday, January 26th, 2013
Open: 11:00 am - 3 pm
Participating Locations of the Ottawa Library: Main Library, Alta Vista, Hazeldean, North Gloucester, Ruth E. Dickinson
Duration of loans: 20 minutes
Link: www.BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca/HumanLibrary
No comments:
Post a Comment