ON DISPLAY GLOBAL

We’ve always been taught not to stare; not to look at someone deeply because it might offend them; that if someone “different” catches our eye we have objectified them. This is the life of the viewer. Alternatively, should we possess a birthmark, a glorious height, or unknown disability we risk being ostracized. This is the life of the viewed. For both the viewer and viewed, there are harsh limitations – the viewer does not have time to see beyond appearances and the viewed risks only being seen as other. Can a dynamic, safe space for both to truly look and experience each other exist?

ON DISPLAY is a durational work-a deconstructed art exhibit and commentary on the body as spectacle and society’s obsession with body image. Heidi Latsky’s response to the stigma attached to difference, ON DISPLAY turns a cast of diverse and extreme bodies into a sculpture court where the performers are the sculptures. ON DISPLAY GLOBAL is Heidi Latsky Dance’s global, social justice initiative performed annually in honor of the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December third. Cities all over the world present ON DISPLAY with their local community members on that day.

This sculpture garden is a silent, meditative experience that is done in extremely slow motion for 1 hour. Each performer stays in 1 spot through the event while the audience walks around at will. This presentation is managed by Catey Ott Thompson.