Events › Art and Madness, Pt 2: Collage Workshop (ENCORE!)

Can questioning narrow definitions of "normal" contribute to a safer world for all? This two-part event about art and madness highlights the importance of honoring mad cultural production.

Collage workshop (back by popular demand!) May 3rd 2 pm - 5 pm

Reimagine what mad liberation can look like. Using some of the same techniques used by the mad and surrealist artists featured in Part 1, workshop attendees will respond creatively through words and pictures to the question “Why must we hide?” By mining the Library's weeded magazines and newspapers for printed material, we will re-value the "disposable." Participants will be given an opportunity to display their collage in a May exhibition on the 3rd floor in honor of Mental Health Awareness month.

The Library will provide space, materials, supplies, and instruction free of charge. 

Topical context

Recent legislative initiatives* lay bare the dire consequences of society's centuries-long devaluation and erasure of the cultural contributions of mad artists–an indispensable segment of humanity who have always contributed great value. Mental health diagnoses are now instruments for targeted state violence and incarceration (i.e. involuntary commitment) to remove madness from public view.

Words & Pictures: Pairing books and films with big ideas

*Sources:

https://www.kff.org/mental-health/a-look-at-the-new-executive-order-and-the-intersection-of-homelessness-and-mental-illness/

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-condemns-trump-executive-order-targeting-disabled-and-unhoused-people

Part One, 'The Surrealists' was a presentation and screening held on March 15th. The presentation was provided by author and artist Matt Bodett from the Center for Mad Culture and was based on an earlier presentation called 'Crip Culture Mad Voices' which can be heard/viewed on the Mad Tea podcast.