Radical Conversations

In a time of profound division, embracing diverse perspectives becomes a catalyst for meaningful change. How do we transcend boundaries to cultivate an environment committed to fostering honest, caring, and courageous conversations? How are artists responding to these questions through their work? Guided by the framing of U‑M Professor Jenna Bednar, artists Pablo Helguera, Philippa Hughes, and Lexa Walsh will delve into the transition from transactional to relational public policy, nurturing our societal fabric with pillars of community, sustainability, dignity, and beyond. Together, they will reflect on the essence of American identity and envision pathways to a flourishing society.

Jenna Bednar is a political scientist whose work explores themes of civic engagement, institutional design, and the interplay between individual agency and systemic structures. Her research is on the analysis of institutions, focusing on the theoretical underpinnings of the stability of federal states. Bednar is the faculty director of UMICH Votes and Democratic Engagement, a non-partisan campus coalition whose mission is to improve the accessibility of voting, foster the confidence necessary to navigate the voting process successfully, and help students understand why their votes matter. 

Pablo Helguera, a Mexico City-born artist now based in New York, explores a wide array of mediums including installation, sculpture, photography, drawing, and performance, often intertwining themes of history, pedagogy, sociolinguistics, ethnography, memory, and the absurd. His work spans from lectures and museum installations to musical performances and written fiction. Notably, his project ​“The School of Panamerican Unrest” exemplifies his blend of art and education, involving a 20,000-mile journey from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. Helguera has exhibited and performed globally, from the Museum of Modern Art to the Museo de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid, and has been recognized with a Guggenheim fellowship and grants from institutions like Creative Capital and Art Matters. He is author of several books and writes a regular column titled ​“Beautiful Eccentrics.”

Philippa Hughes’ artistic endeavors celebrate human connection and dialogue, creating spaces that encourage diverse communities to engage in transformative experiences. Her installations, events, and curated environments foster environments where honesty, empathy, and courage can flourish. Hughes draws inspiration from everyday interactions and collective storytelling. By challenging boundaries and amplifying marginalized voices, her work provokes thought, sparks dialogue, and inspires action towards a more inclusive and compassionate society. She is currently Visiting Artist For Art & Civic Engagement at UMMA presenting the exhibition and social engagement platform ​“Hey, We Need To Talk!”. 

Lexa Walsh uses her background in both sculpture and social practice to make site specific projects, exhibitions, publications and objects, using an array of materials and employing social engagement, institutional critique, and radical hospitality. She creates platforms for interaction across hierarchies, representing multiple voices and inventing new ways of belonging. Walsh has exhibited and performed internationally for over 25 years at institutions large and small, and in public spaces.

Presented in partnership with Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment & Global Engagement and UMMA and as part of VOTE2024 and the Creative Campus Voting Project through UMICH Votes. This project was made possible by a grant from the Arts Initiative at the University of Michigan. 

Series presenting partners: Detroit PBS and PBS Books. Media partner: Michigan Radio.