CMU gallery reveals Signs of Change

‘ ‘ ‘ Carnegie Mellon condensed 40 years of social unrest and activism throughout the world… ‘ ‘ ‘ Carnegie Mellon condensed 40 years of social unrest and activism throughout the world into one art gallery this month with its latest exhibit, Signs of Change. ‘ ‘ ‘ Signs of Change: Social Movement Cultures 1960s to Now features photos, posters, video clips and audio clips from protests, campaigns and activism from 39 countries across the globe throughout the past 40 years. ‘ ‘ ‘ The collection is on display at Carnegie Mellon’s Miller Gallery until March 8, and is guest curated by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute PhD candidates Dara Greenwald and Josh MacPhee. ‘ ‘ ‘ The exhibit documents social movements, from the civil rights movement and hippie hey-days of the United States to the anti-apartheid movement in Africa to the global AIDS movements across the world, and serves as documentation of almost half a decade of people assembling to make their voices heard. ‘ ‘ ‘ Signs of Change focuses on the creative and artistic products that social movements inspire, rather than a simple chronicle of photo archives. But according to Greenwald, Signs of Change doesn’t appeal to art aficionados alone. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It appeals to people who are not just interested in art, but in history and social change as well,’ she said. ‘ ‘ ‘ The historical aspect of the exhibition isn’t the only focus. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘It tells a history but is still current,’ said Greenwald. ‘There are posters for events in 2010 that haven’t happened yet.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Greenwald anticipates that the images of people coming together to speak out against injustice and challenge their governments will encourage the tradition of social movement to continue. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I hope people do find it more inspiring. I hope people find ways to gather and change society through creativity and art,’ said Greenwald. ‘Perhaps we can learn something from history and the present to move forward into the future.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Signs of Change is a traveling exhibit that premiered in New York City in September of 2008 before moving to Carnegie Mellon. But although it’s not an indigenous Pittsburgh collection, other art entities around Pittsburgh are getting involved and contributing to the exhibition. ‘ ‘ ‘ On Feb. 12, Pittsburgh Film Makers will screen two relevant films about social movement as part of the exhibit. ‘ ‘ ‘ Both films are short, historical newsreel documentaries. The first film, ‘Finally Got the News,’ documents the League of Revolutionary Black Workers’ actions in Detroit, Mich., and the second, ‘Mayday,’ focuses on air disaster investigations. ‘ ‘ ‘ Pittsburgh’s Artist Image Resource and the Andy Warhol Museum are also contributing to Signs of Change by holding an activist print open studio where visitors can learn to screen print their own protest and activist posters.