Beauchamp Stresses the Importance of Art Activism with SSU Students
By Jessie Nocella
SALEM, Mass., Feb. 24, 2017 — The power art has to make change and help people take a stance on controversial issues was the overall message that dance choreographer and activist Rose Pasquarello Beauchamp shared with Salem State University (SSU) students in a lecture earlier this month.
Beauchamp examined the role art has played in promoting social justice throughout history and how it’s used in different mediums to protest. She made references to modern examples of art activism like Beyonce’s risky and bold performance at the 2016 Super Bowl. The choice of dance choreography, outfits and use of strong African-American females created a visual display of racial activism. This year’s performer, Lady Gaga, had been forbidden from incorporating any political undertone as a result of controversy.
SSU junior Bianca Rodriguez, who was at the talk, said she was inspired by Beauchamp’s message.
“I used to think art was more dancing and painting, but after hearing her lecture, I think art can be conceived as anything and brings people together to create change,” she said.
Even though the Recital Hall was half-empty, Beauchamp put on a show for a full house. She bounced between an informative slideshow and conversation with the audience, which focused on the relationship between politics and art. A short clip was played from art activist Yoko Ono’s 1965 performance “Cut Piece.”. In the video she sat and let multiple strangers cut pieces of her garments off without an explanation. This has long been an example of activism and has been recreated multiple times.
Karen Gahagan, Director for the Center of Creative and Performing Arts, was enthusiastic about Beauchamp’s lecture which tied into a semester of different activist events. She explained that holding these events at SSU can help young artists not only find their voice but apply it in the world.
“People bring their experience and their context to any artistic thing. You can’t help it, but that’s where the interesting thing happens,” Gahagan said. “I’m putting that piece of me towards engaging with this piece of art to create a new concept.”
Beauchamp urged the audience to question why powerful governments are afraid of the change artists are able to create. She showed a video of a Black Lives Matter protest where broadway actors and singers gathered in front of the New York Police Department. There, they performed spoken word and synchronized movements to represent the inequality of colored people targeted in police violence.
“I feel like everyone should understand that art is more than pretty,” Beauchamp said. “Artists have a role in the world whether on it’s on campus, in the community or in the country.”
