“Where Do We Migrate To?,” an exhibition at the Peeler gallery from Sept. 8 through Dec. 9, demonstrates art pieces that display contemporary issues of migration and displacement.
The exhibition was curated by Niels Van Tomme, in conjunction with the Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The exposition featured pieces from nineteen nationally-recognized artists. “[This] allows multiple perspectives about its subject matter to unfold simultaneously, ” said Van Tomme. A large range of political, psychological, and poetic viewpoints are present in this contemporary exhibit noted Van Tomme.
Assistant Curator for Exhibitions at Peeler, Alexandra Chamberlain, has had a very hands-on experience while curating this exhibition. She felt a little trepidation at the earlier stages of the process because her background was in media, conceptual work, and the Renaissance era. “Initially, I was a little bit worried because I have only recently worked with more contemporary pieces, and they can sometimes appear surface level,” Chamberlain said. “The conceptual identity behind this exhibition is very deep and profound.”
Chamberlain recommends viewers visit the exhibit multiple times in order to fully appreciate the exhibit. She urges viewers to come and take each piece in one at a time and not simply come for a quick pass-through. “Come for several twenty minute visits because the focus on migration and displacement in each piece tackles the issues in very distinct ways,” said Chamberlain.
Chamberlain believes this exhibition has ties to departments outside of the arts and thinks many courses offered at DePauw could benefit from viewing the exhibition. Chamberlain is currently working with different professors to bring classes from a variety of subjects to the exhibit. “I would love to see more classes come through,” Chamberlain said, “It’s important to recognize how the exhibition choices can affect not only Peeler but also other departments.”
The exhibition creates an environment in which students can begin to discuss the topic of migration. First-year Natalie Brunini said, “It was such an interesting exhibit to see. It centers around a topic that is, and always has been, prevalent in our society today. To see migration in all of these art pieces was just so different and eye-opening.”
When discussing human migration, there is a tendency to think of events that happened hundreds of years ago; however, “Where Do We Migrate To?” explores work from artists who are demonstrating the current effects of displacement. “After looking at all of the pieces it almost felt as if they all captured pieces of history, migrating and exploring-sharing experiences and ultimately expanding from them,” said first-year Haley Allaben. “It was really interesting to visit.”
Chamberlain hopes that in light of the recent hate speech that targeted a student of color, the exhibit is more relevant to the community and will induce conversation. “It will force people to become more aware of their direct vision. I want the exhibition to hit these issues head on,” Chamberlain said.
Students at DePauw are in agreement: “These issues of hate speech and displacement are not a thing of history; they are still happening and these ideas are demonstrated in the exhibition,” said Allaben.
“Peeler, as an art space, recognizes the need for a place for difficult conversation to come to fruition and the exhibition is a good place to start,” said Chamberlain. She believes the exhibition can coerce viewers to profoundly understand these difficult and striking conversations.
