Engaging in the Process of Democracy
Doing Democracy: An Exhibition Exploring Art and Civic Engagement at Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG)
Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) is currently hosting an exhibition titled "Doing Democracy," which delves into themes of democratic practice, civic engagement, and the role of art in democracy. The exhibition, described as "formidable pieces" by LUAG Director William Crow, aims to encourage conversation and debate about democracy and its meaning.
The collection, co-curated with students and faculty from various departments at Lehigh University, features 107 images that span the 20th century. These photographs, donated by ABC News Chief Anchor and former Clinton White House advisor George Stephanopoulos and his wife, Alexandra, include works from well-known photographers such as Arthur Rothstein, Erika Stone, Dmitri Baltermants, Danny Lyon, Leonard Freed, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Lehigh alum Lou Stoumen '39.
The exhibition examines life in the United States and features everyday Americans as well as world leaders like President Richard Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. Significant events of the 20th century, such as the 1963 March on Washington and the 1972 Democratic National Convention, are captured in these photographs. The collection also includes images of civil rights icon John Lewis, segregationists George Wallace, and Lester Maddox, providing a comprehensive look at the evolving narrative of democracy in America.
The exhibition provides an opportunity for visitors to engage in conversations about citizenship, activism, and political change. An event in October held in conjunction with the SouthSide Arts District offered visitors a chance to register to vote, meet community members, and create political posters or buttons. Another program, Art in Dialogue: The Media and the Truth, was a presentation in October with Lehigh journalism professors that examined the ethics and challenges that photojournalists confront in documenting current events.
Sara Sanchez Rivera '23 discusses Leonard Freed's March on Washington photo, taken in 1963, which documents a pivotal moment in history and shows people exercising their First Amendment rights. The photo is described as telling the story of a power struggle and of race, and continues to tell the story of the fight for equality and freedom from discrimination.
Stephanie Veto, a Lehigh videographer, stated that photos and videos are incredibly powerful tools that can help change the course of history, create public outcry, show beauty and horrors around the world, humanize issues, and give a voice to the voiceless.
The photos in the collection are on display at LUAG Main Gallery through May 21, 2021. Twenty-two reproductions of key photographs from the Doing Democracy exhibition, including Harlem Beggar and March on Washington, are on display along the South Bethlehem Greenway, near the Lehigh campus. Each 4-by-8-foot easel includes a QR code that links to additional information and the short videos narrated by Lehigh students.
The underlying message of the exhibition, according to William Crow, is about participation. He hopes people see this exhibition as not only an invitation, but a requirement to participate in making meaning about our world and making informed decisions about it.
For precise and updated information about the "Doing Democracy" exhibition at LUAG, including its background, curated artists, themes, and significance, I recommend consulting Lehigh University Art Galleries' official website or contacting LUAG directly. The issues depicted in the photo are still relevant today, according to Sanchez Rivera.
- The "Doing Democracy" exhibition at Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG) also features works from faculty in various departments, showcasing the intersection of arts and education-and-self-development.
- In addition to exploring themes of democracy and civic engagement, the collection also touches on science, with photographs showcasing significant events of the 20th century, such as the 1963 March on Washington.
- The exhibition extends beyond the campus, with reproductions of key photographs on display along the South Bethlehem Greenway, inviting general-news enthusiasts to engage with the art and discuss topics related to politics and current events.
