Cultural workers are coming together across the United States and beyond to showcase a series of events known as “Fall of Freedom”, aimed at addressing President Trump’s authoritarianism. This art and activism series will feature exhibitions, performances, interventions, and more starting from Friday, November 21, and continuing through the weekend, with some events extending for months. A comprehensive list of 16 events, such as an anti-fascist zine fair in San Francisco and a Palestinian embroidery exhibition in Upstate New York, can be found on the Fall of Freedom website.
One of the highlighted events is “An Incomplete Haunting” at 601Artspace in Manhattan. Curated by Rachel Raphaela Gugelberger, this exhibition brings together various artists known for shedding light on suppressed histories and harsh American truths through their creative practices. The works on display include photo, video, sculpture, installation, and reinterpreted archival materials by artists like Nicholas Galanin, Alicia Grullon, and Dread Scott.
Another event, the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Reading Room in SoHo, invites visitors to engage with queer literature and resistance through a dedicated space filled with LGBTQIA+ art and artists’ publications. This reading room will be open on Friday, November 21, and offer discounted museum catalogs and other works for purchase.
In Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the exhibition “soft weapons: Keep Your Fucking Hands Off My Body” at 12 Franklin Street features 29 artists exploring bodily surveillance and autonomy. This group show, curated by Cassandra Neyenesch and Lydia Nobles, challenges oppressive systems and asserts a living presence that refuses elimination.
At The Clemente Center in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, “Cancel This Show!” showcases art at the intersection of activism and dissent, inspired by historical artist-led movements like Angry Arts Week and Artists Call Against US Intervention in Central America. Artists like Molly Crabapple and Dread Scott are among those featured in this exhibition.
In Houston, Texas, artist Britt Thomas will present a performance titled “PRESS” at The Jack, addressing the decline of press freedom and the challenges faced by journalists. The public act of mourning will highlight instances of violence and intimidation against reporters, emphasizing the importance of a free press.
Across the pond in London, artist Joseph DeLappe will set up the “United States Apologies Desk” in front of the US Embassy, offering passersby hand-signed apology cards as a symbolic act of public atonement for the failures of the American project.
These are just a few of the many events happening as part of the Fall of Freedom series, showcasing the power of art and activism in challenging authoritarianism and promoting freedom and justice. Be sure to check out the full lineup of events and participate in this important cultural movement.
