Nasher Museum Exhibition Links Art To Civic Action

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University has opened“Turn the Volume Up!,” a new exhibition that explores art's role in social justice and civic engagement, running through July 2027. Curator Xuxa Rodríguez emphasized the show's broad scope, stating that artists' work is always within a political context, even when not directly addressing politics.

The exhibition uses the ideological backdrop of the United States' 250th anniversary to present a century-spanning collection of posters, paintings, sculptures, and photographs. The display includes works by artists such as Kara Walker, Bruce Davidson, Marlene Dumas, and the Guerrilla Girls. Throughout the show, visitors encounter reflective questions like“What may be hidden between the lines of stories we've read before?” and“If your remarks on history could be recorded, what would you say?”

Rodríguez shared that the project began by considering who has historically been excluded from conversations, referencing the U.S. Constitution and efforts to amend it over two centuries. The concept for the exhibition evolved from observing works on demonstrations within the Nasher's collection. She drew inspiration from the fall 2025 New York mayoral election, which garnered national attention when two million people turned out to vote, a turnout reportedly not seen since 1969.

The exhibition's title,“Turn the Volume Up!,” comes from a quote by KRS-One, which was cited by Mamdani in his mayoral election speech. Rodríguez connected this idea to the importance of amplifying diverse voices and expanding participation. The exhibition is structured into five sections:“Remarks,”“Organized,”“Records,” and“Petitions,” with a fifth section still being finalized.

Each section connects artistic practice to civic actions.“Remarks” focuses on artists commenting on historical events.“Organized” highlights art used for activism, such as flyers or fundraising tools.“Records” examines how artists document events and challenge existing historical narratives.“Petitions” showcases art that advocates for change. Rodríguez noted that these section titles intentionally echo terms used both in federal bodies like Congress and in local community organizing efforts, reinforcing the exhibition's message that“politics is personal.”

The exhibition's design, developed with head of graphic design Joel Johnson, encourages visitor participation. Silhouettes of demonstrators holding blank placards are integrated into the display, inviting visitors to envision themselves joining the protest. Accompanying questions, such as“How are you showing up for your communities every day?” and“What actions are you and your neighbors taking to shape your local government policy so it can support your shared welfare?,” are placed on walls and in interpretive texts, prompting personal reflection on civic responsibility.

Among the highlighted works is Robert Colescott's The Wreckage of Medusa from 1978, which is part of a private collection. The exhibition text emphasizes reflection on the current state of social-welfare systems and individual responsibility in shaping the nation. Kara Walker's Confederate Prisoners Being Conducted from Jonesborough to Atlanta from the portfolio Harper's Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated), created in 2005, is also featured. This work is part of the Nasher Museum of Art's collection, acquired in 2006 with funds from Monica M. and Richard D. Segal, the Neely Family, and Barbra and Andrew Rothschild.

Source: ARTnews

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