A House Divided…, Galerie Lelong & Co., New York, 2020
“A House Divided… focuses on deeply diverged opinions, beliefs and perspectives on key social, cultural and political matters exchanged and voiced by a group of conservative and liberal residents of the politically divided Staten Island. Staten Island is evenly split between Republican and Democratic voters. The project’s participants include those who are close to each other as co-workers, old friends or even members of the same family.
Speaking to each other, they explain and exchange their positions and disagreements while expressing their mutual wish for careful and respectful listening to the opposite side. They question the present-day tyranny of uninformed and unfair opinions and a false, simplified image of political opponents that are perpetuated within their own isolated circles—taking too often the form of mindless and painful insults thrown at others publicly and privately. This is an appeal for themselves, for others and for the entire country.
In this project, the two divided sides have yet to reach a true open-ended dialogue, but they do share the same sentiments in agreeing that it is necessary, and even advocate for it.”
Krzysztof Wodiczko, 2020
