Arising: A Yoko Ono Project (Update)

Before Christmas, I wrote about my contribution to Arising, Yoko Ono's installation at Reyjavik Art Museum. The project asked women all over the world to share a testament of harm that had befallen them because of their gender along with a picture of just their eyes. I wrote about my experiences with sexually motivated violence and harassment. A few weeks ago, I received an email from the Arising team updating me on the project and I thought I'd include it here:


First of all, apologies for a late response to your letter for the Arising project. We are greatly amazed by the volume of e-mails that we have received – it was really quite unexpected. All of the testaments were read and included in the Arising project at the Reykjavik Art Museum in Iceland. The installation includes testaments on the wall and in folders. It is constantly changing as we are still accepting submissions. The exhibition will be here until 5th February, 2017.

It is amazing to see so many brave, open and strong, loving, expressive, artistic and caring women. This project shows that there is still so much to be done – the world is still not gender equal and just, where people are respectful to each other regardless of their differences.

Once again – we are extremely thankful to you for sharing your stories and genuinely believe that it is a needed platform for women to be able to share their experiences.

All the kindest regards and wishing you all well,

Arising Project team
Reykjavik Art Museum


In my submission, I wrote about viewing my experiences through the lens of female blame and culpability. Sadly the idea that you have somehow invited harm, or might have avoided it altogether by altering your behaviour in some way, is a common theme for so many women, But what strikes me the most about this project, is the impact of the finished product. It's difficult to ignore the wall of eyes staring out at you, in fact, it's positively gruelling. I agree that projects like this are a much needed platform for women and I was comforted to hear that they have decided to keep growing the collection up until the exhibit closes in February.

If you happen to be in Iceland, you should definitely check this out in person. For those of us unable to hop on a plane, here are some picture's they kindly sent over. Stay safe lovelies.

To contribute to Arising, send your testament of harm and photograph of your eyes by mail to: Listasafn Reykjavíkur, Tryggvagata 17, 101 Reykjavík or by email to: arising@reykjavik.is.







My Life As An Imposter
Fin.

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