States of Emergence

Dr. EL Putnam is presenting the new moving image work The Whisperers as part of "States of Emergence" with the Boston-based Mobius Artists Group.

Like many fellow Americans, it is not the first time that Mobius Artists Group has felt the weight of political anxieties and emerging culture wars that aim to target the diverse, the queer, the foreign, or the unconforming. Yet–with a flood of recent assaults on scientific research, the tenets of democracy, and basic civil rights– this moment, more than ever, feels like a state of emergency for many of us. How do we care for ourselves and for our neighbors during this state of emergency? How can we ensure the safety of our communities and honor the humanity of our being? And perhaps most importantly, how do we emerge from this moment? Not just in body or spirit, but as a society? States of Emergence is an artistic response to recent threats towards American democracy, society, and culture. By coming together to be grounded in our bodies, embrace complex emotions, listen to diverse stories, and share concerns with one another, we hope this evening of experiential dialogue will be a moment of catharsis and collective imagination toward a better future.