Today’s story takes place at the intersection of art and the First Amendment. This vital element of the United States Constitution protects our right to freedom of expression, by prohibiting lawmakers from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.
Artist Sheryl Oring took up this cause célèbre in 2004. In conversations across time, we trace her synthesis of art and free speech in a public performance project that quite naturally, has no end in sight. As long as there is democracy in the United States, there will be opportunities to voice opinions about the U.S. presidency, about social justice, the economy, public health, globalization, climate change, education, and more.
What would YOU wish to say to the U.S. President?
Let us know on Instagram: @freshartintl #iwishtosay
Sound Editor: Anamnesis Audio | Special Audio: Sheryl Oring on ABC World News Tonight, 2004; Sheryl Oring at Washington and Lee University, 2018; I Wish to Say with University of Michigan and Wayne State University students, 2020; Lisa Bielawa, Voters’ Broadcast, 2020
Related Episodes:
Where Art Meets Activism https://freshartinternational.com/2018/06/25/art-activism/
Topical Playlist: Art and Politics https://freshartinternational.com/2020/10/14/topical-playlist-political-art/
Charles Gaines on Philosophy and Politics in Conceptual Art https://freshartinternational.com/2019/07/29/charles-gaines-politics-conceptual-art/
Bahar Behbahani on Politics and Persian Gardens https://freshartinternational.com/2017/02/02/bahar-behbahani-on-politics-and-persian-gardens/
Related Links:
Sheryl Oring, I Wish to Say http://www.sheryloring.org/i-wish-to-say
Activating Democracy (the book)http://www.sheryloring.org/book-activating-democracy
The First Amendment Project, Oakland, CA https://www.thefirstamendment.org/
Creative Capital Foundation https://creative-capital.org/2016/04/13/want-write-letter-presidential-candidate-interview-sheryl-oring/
W&L Quick Hit: Sheryl Oring Performs I Wish to Say https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14CesRvZutw
Sheryl Oring on ABC World News Tonight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbF1lVfLCII
I Wish to Say Archive http://uncglibraries.com/IWishToSay/
University of Michigan, Democracy & Debate Theme Semester https://umich-speak-act-vote.netlify.app/signature-initiatives/i-wish-to-say/
Stamps Gallery https://stamps.umich.edu/exhibitions/detail/sheryl_oring_i_wish_to_say
Lisa Bielawa http://www.lisabielawa.net/voters-broadcast
Voters’ Broadcast http://www.lisabielawa.net/voters-broadcast
Mauer Broadcast with Lisa Bielawa https://mauerfall30.berlin/en/programm/mauer-broadcast/
The Berlin Wall https://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/the-berlin-wall-10.html
