USA-NEW YORK/HANDS UP New York exhibit taps into dialogue on race and policing

Record ID: 135824

  • Title: USA-NEW YORK/HANDS UP New York exhibit taps into dialogue on race and policing
  • Date: 15th May 2015
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 15, 2015) (REUTERS) IMAGE OF PERSON ON COMPUTER AT "HANDS UP" EXHIBITION ROOPA VASUDEVAN LOOKING AT COMPUTER
  • Embargoed: 30th May 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1F3PZEIUDJ5RYMO2NQXYNU96A
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A multimedia installation opening in New York on Friday (May 15) aims to encourage a conversation about law enforcement's treatment of minorities by simulating a disorienting confrontation with police.
    "Hands Up," created by artists Atif Ateeq and Roopa Vasudevan at Flux Factory in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens, brings visitors, one at a time, into a dark space filled with flashing lights and police sirens.
    Viewers are ordered to raise both hands, activating a blinding flash and a simultaneous photo. Pictures taken of each viewer become part of the installation.
    Vasudevan explained. "So this exhibition is called 'Hands Up' and through it we are kind of attempting to simulate the really disorienting and chaotic moments when you are confronted by police."
    "This was our reaction to what's been going on in the U.S. in terms of law enforcement and all the shootings that have been happening, specifically what happened in Ferguson with Mike Brown. After that happened, both of us felt a sense of responsibility to say something or contribute to the conversation in some way," said fellow visual artist and collaborator Atif Ateeq.
    Brown was an 18-years old when he was shot and killed last year by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.
    The shooting deaths of Brown and 12-year old Tamir Rice in Cleveland fueled nationwide debate on how police relate to African-Americans.
    Last month, a white police officer in South Carolina was charged with murder after the shooting death of 50-year old African-American Walter Scott as he ran away.
    Vasudevan said, "Obviously, we can't ever come close to what it's going to be like for somebody in real life to be confronted by the police in this way. But we wanted to kind of create some sort of understanding as to what it would be like to be in this situation. Because I think a lot of the times, this is a really divisive issue, and I think that a lot of that comes from just not understanding and not comprehending and we're trying to bring people a step forward into being able to comprehend and take something away from that."
    Maddie Hewitt was the first person to experience "Hands Up" as Ateeq and Vasudevan made their final tweaks to the exhibition before its opening to the public.
    "When I first walked in, I was really drawn to the lights. So I think that experience in itself was alluring. It was kind of like a mosquito being drawn to a light. And then all of a sudden you hear 'Put your hands up.' So it's really startling. So I put my hands up. And initially the light that comes out, it's really goes straight to your body. And I think, it was really nerve-wracking and off-putting. And I still feel kind of shaky too," said Hewitt.
    She added, "I was skeptical, I guess going into it, because I figured it's hard to reenact that particular circumstance. But I think being in there by yourself, it sort of does. Your mind kind of wanders and you can kind of place yourself in that moment."
    "We think that experience will leave people a little bit uncomfortable and provoke thought. So when people get out of here, I want them to be a little uncomfortable and to think about this a little more," said Ateeq.
    Although the project deals mainly with law enforcement's relationship with black men, both artists said race relations was a theme that resonated personally. Ateeq's family is from Pakistan and Vasudevan's family from India.
    The exhibit takes place in a Flux Factory warehouse and runs from Friday to next Tuesday.
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