My World Tuesday #54: "Hidden Voices"

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"Before The After"
Durham, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

"She Sings Because She's Free"
Durham, NC - October 2009 (Click to embiggen)

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Hidden Voices doesn't just deal with the issue of domestic violence. The group advocates for all marginalized communities, and offers a forum for them to find their voices. Hence the name. But in October at least, they promote domestic violence awareness to the top of their hit parade, and this is where our paths cross. I've featured the group before both in words and pictures, and I'll be doing it again before October is through. Because even though I missed the majority of their last event due to circumstances not entirely under my control, they have another one scheduled for October 27th and this time I'll know how to avoid the obstacles that made me so late for the last one. But on to the photos.

The "Speaking Without Tongues" exhibit is currently housed in the historic Duke Chapel on the campus of Duke University. Much of the artwork is actually in the sanctuary itself, more of it in the vestibule. As it was explained to me, the purpose was to draw a bright shining line between the "then" and the "now". So the "before" work, depicting life as it was for these survivors, is in the sanctuary proper. The "after" shots are in the vestibule.

As you can probably tell, the chapel is an impressive -- even imposing -- venue and in my own opinion, that in itself may have actually worked against the show. When surrounded by this much grandeur, it would be easy for it to get "lost" in the background. When visitors are so awestruck by their surroundings, the work doesn't become the focal point that it should be. And it should be, because in addition to conveying a vitally important message, the work is extraordinary on its own merit. At the same time, Duke Chapel is visited by a lot of people, and many of those are very influential people. And despite the fact that Duke Chapel is (as I understand it) non-denominational, there has always been a connection between the church (with a big or a little "c") and the arts.

If you're going to be in the area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC) between now and November 14th, you could find much worse ways to spend an hour or two than a visit to the chapel and the exhibit. There is no admission charge for any of the Hidden Voices events, and the chapel is open to the general public from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during the academic year and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the summer break. For more detailed information, visit http://www.chapel.duke.edu/visit.html. (If you need direcitons to tuesday night's event, I have a Google map and directions on this post.)

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