suffragium

The monuments erected in our public spaces have a silent history that is most often an agenda of an era. Though generally overlooked, they are symbols, subject to toppling as social mores are challenged. In SUFFRAGIUM, the "Court of Honor" statues are animated to reveal their subtexts and liberated to cast their votes. Milwaukee's Centennial Library and its substantial collection of 19th century monuments provided the characters and the setting. The contradictions and ironies surrounding the struggle for universal suffrage is explored in the short, animated video. Suffragette songs were performed live with picketing by a shirtwaist factory worker.

SUFFRAGIUM stills from a five-minute site-specific video animation and performance at the Milwaukee Centennial Library polling site one of eleven artists' projects supported by IN:SITE, My Vote Performs for election day, November 4th, 2008

 
Annie Dennison singing Suffragette songs

Annie Dennison singing Suffragette songs

Jill Sebastian picketing as a shirtwaist factory worker.

Jill Sebastian picketing as a shirtwaist factory worker.