Inclusion Poster Project
WARNING: This is a loooooooong post:
Of all of my most recent posts, this project is the most dear to my heart and required the most time and energy.
This project created quite a stir on campus and nationally. It inspired a spur-of-the-moment campus-wide forum to discuss the intent and implications of all of the posters that were installed around campus in unexpected places between Nov. 17, 2017 – Dec. 15, 2017. The honest discussion that ensued (to a standing room only event!) during the forum was refreshing and a credit to our students, faculty, and staff – a truly inspiring event!
Below are some links to the media attention we attracted, feel free to read them. Below that, I included 5 of the over 30 posters contained in the exhibition. The entire series is soon to be housed in the brand new New York City museum dedicated to the art of the poster, the Poster House and, starting Fall 2018 will become a traveling gallery exhibition. This project was so mutli-faceted and created so much controversy and many interesting conversations that it is difficult to relate everything in one blog post, so please explore all links in this blog post.
The Inclusion Poster Project
Inspired by internationally renowned graphic designer, Miro Ilic’s memorable, traveling poster exhibition, the Tolerance Poster Project, originally appearing on the streets of Sarajevo in 2015, ESU’s Inclusion Poster Project is a public art & design exhibition. It intends to communicate the unique perspective of ESU students on the topic of inclusion.
The Inclusion Poster Project original project description.
At any point in your entire lifetime, have you ever felt excluded? Well, you most likely were excluded at some point whether you are consciously aware of it or not. Look around the room. Look to your right and left. Look in front of you and behind you. Your peers have felt the same way at some point in their lives, as well. Why? Is it because of the way they dress? The color of their skin? Their economic background? Their age? Because they commute to school? Because they couldn’t kick a ball hard enough or straight enough on the playground at recess? Is it fair, is it moral, is it even beneficial to your own well-being to judge someone by such arbitrary criteria?
This poster project is intended to access your personal connection to the broader issue of inclusion. How have you been affected by the negative or positive ramifications of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion, especially on ESU’s campus? You must communicate your own, unique perspective and personal relationship to topic of inclusion in the form of a poster.
“Life is all too often not a hallmark card, but rather a life consisting of challenging and opposing sentiments and perspectives in a multicultural landscape. Honest and respectful dialogue is more and more essential for moving a community forward for the common good – achieving solutions that emanate from a sense of equity and justice, and a willingness to engage in individual and collective introspection to advance the community to a ‘better place.’” - ESU Provost Joanne Bruno
The above quote is from ESU’s Provost Joanne Bruno. Without her support and inspiration this project would never have happened and been as rich of an educational experience for my students.
Poster Project Sparks Controversy Across University
University, Professor Respond to Poster Debate
Academic Freedom is Not Black and White
And then, two less reputable news outlets:
Campus ‘Inclusivity Posters’ Feature Trump Ignoring Dying Puerto Rican Child
College’s ‘Inclusion Project’ Features Poster of Trump Next to Dead Child
FIRST PLACE WINNER – Chelsea Bacon
(poster winners were selected by ESU’s Inclusion & Diversity Committee)
This poster was installed in main staircase of the student center.
SECOND PLACE WINNER – Danielle Nightlinger
This poster was installed at the top of the main stairwell in DeNike Hall.
THIRD PLACE WINNER – Sage Kane
This poster was installed atop the main entrance of Dansbury Commons (Dining Hall).
Alyssa Gonzalez
This poster generated the most controversy overall.
Designer chooses to remain anonymous
This poster generated the second most amount of controversy. In fact, it was the only poster to be defaced. It was torn down two days after it was installed and then reinstalled (at a more unreachable height) where it remained until the end of the exhibition.