Intervention 3: Performance/Protest

 

            I chose to focus on the topic of mental health for my project. Especially with the pandemic that hit us so badly, I’m glad a light was shined on the topic and more discussions were happening about its importance. However, I feel the talk for it has died down a bit and it continues to be a serious issue among many. For my project I held I sign asking people what their stresses were and left a pen and notes for them to write down their stresses. Some people who walked up to me asked questions about the purpose of my project and were glad to see what I was doing to raise awareness to this serious issue. Raising awareness and advocating for something can truly inspire people to follow along in the footsteps of others. When someone sees an act of protest by bringing awareness to a topic, it’s as if something clicks in ones mind that says “if they can do it, why can’t I?”. A new protest of an inspired person can cause great change.

 One quote in the reading of The Interventionists states, “Some collaborative projects are born out of discussions; in other cases people take the discussions as a starting point for their individual pursuits.”. Another quote from the book says, “In addition to artist presentations, political discussions, organized happenings, lunches, walks, parties, screenings, and the like, participants regularly share and discuss readings with one another, opening the space for what Joseph Beuys referred to as an “ongoing conference”.”. Both of the quotes perfectly showcase how different forms of protest are able to spark conversation and inspiration to many. A simple discussion about a certain topic is enough for someone to start their own conversation and create whatever they want to get their message across. Such forms of activism like performances can help raise awareness by showing how going out to march at a protest isn’t the only way to bring attention to certain topics. A person can use their interests to bring change such as dance for a performance. 

(Sorry for the picture quality, my sister took these >.<)