OPENING RECEPTION

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2008  7 - 9pm

We end our season in June with a powerful exhibit of photographs from the Oaxaca, Mexico resistance movement combined with original political posters from art collectives there.

In 2006, Oaxaca, Mexico came alive with a broad and diverse movement that captivated the nation and inspired communities organizing for social justice around the world. Fueled by long ignored social contradictions, what began as a teachers’ strike demanding more resources for education quickly turned into a massive movement that demanded direct, participatory democracy.

Hundreds of thousands of Oaxacans raised their voices against the abuses of the state government. They participated in marches of up to 800,000 people, planned strategy at the barricades, occupied government buildings, took over radio stations, held sit-ins, and reclaimed spaces for public art and altars for assassinated activists. In the now Legendary March of Pots and Pans, 2,000 women peacefully took over and operated the state television channel for three weeks.

All this despite the fierce repression that the movement faced - with hundreds arbitrarily detained, tortured, forced into hiding, or murdered by government forces and paramilitary death squads. And the Oaxacan people are still determined to make their voices heard. This exhibit is our attempt at ArtRage to help make those voices heard through the photographs and art of those who were there and to learn from them.

Films and presentations on this struggle will accompany the exhibit along with the sale of a must read book, “Teaching Rebellion; Stories from the Grassroots Mobilization in Oaxaca”.

ArtRage is no ordinary gallery. Its mission is to exhibit progressive art that inspires resistance and promotes social awareness; supports social justice, challenges preconceptions and encourages cultural change. It doesn’t stop there. Each exhibit will be in collaboration with one or more community organizations in an effort to expand the traditional viewing “audience,” to offer support and become a catalyst for organized action among working people.

HOURS: W., Th., F. 2-7pm & Sat. 12-4pm

PosterWorks at the ArtRage gallery is devoted to providing income for the operation of the galley space. Every purchase from our large stock of posters, cards, T-shirts, DVD’s and books helps us pay for exhibits, rent and utilities! Located inside the gallery, at 505 Hawley Avenue, PosterWorks carries over 100 posters in stock and offers a selection of exhibit related materials for sale. Come and see the largest viewable collection of Syracuse Cultural Workers posters available anywhere in the U.S! Framed versions, at very reasonable prices, are also available for many posters.

CHECK OUT OUR POSTER OF THE MONTH!

more…