'Unheard Voices' Exhibit Reflects Sexual Assault Victims' Stories
Editors: Good photo opportunities of this exhibit include the set-up from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, in the 1954 Lounge at Baker Center and the casting of an Ohio University student's face at noon, Monday, Sept. 18, in Howard Park, next to Trisolini.
Contact: Charlene Kopchick, (740) 593-4742
ATHENS, Ohio (September 15, 2000) -- "Unheard Voices," a multimedia exhibit featuring the castings and oral histories of sexual assault victims, will be on display in the 1954 Lounge of Baker Center at Ohio University in Athens Sept. 18 through 28. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. daily.
The exhibit includes 20 handcrafted ceramic facial castings and one full-body casting by San Francisco artist Jason Dilley. Each casting is accompanied by a recorded message of the subject telling his or her story. Viewers can leave their comments or thoughts on a "conversation wall."
The artist will do a face casting of an Ohio University student at noon Monday, Sept. 18, in Howard Hall Park, across Union Street from the Alumni Gate on the College Green.
The artist conceived the idea for the exhibit, which has been touring nationally since 1995, during a 10-day silent retreat.
"I had an inner stirring that led me to create it," Dilley said. "Sometimes, when you silence the mind, the heart tends to speak. The exhibit was developed on the basic premise that behavior doesn't change until feelings change. The dynamics of the exhibit allow viewers to hear 20 or so people tell their stories and, hopefully, feel empathy for the victims. The exhibit has several attributes. For one, the art itself is life-like, consisting of actual castings. Also, the oral history with each casting makes it unique."
The show offers a new medium through which to share the story of sexual assault victims.
"This allows people to hear the story in the survivors' words, which can have more impact than hearing a lecture," said Charlene Kopchick, Ohio University director of health education and wellness.
Information on sexual assault, including area agencies to contact, will be available at the exhibit. For more information on the exhibit, check the Web site, www.unheardvoices.com.
