Gender, Violence, and the Art of Repair in the Americas

How can art and culture help repair the harm caused by gender-based violence? In this discussion-based seminar, we will examine initiatives and artifacts across the Americas that involve cultural production as a vehicle for reparation and restorative justice. We will explore theoretical frameworks on gender-based violence and abolitionism, engaging with works by Rita Segato and Angela Davis. Case studies include “Fragmentos” by Doris Salcedo in collaboration with survivors of gender-based violence, the Chicago-based project Notes for Peace, and Cristina Rivera Garza's book Liliana's Invincible Summer. For the final project, we will identify an issue related to gender-based violence or inequality in our communities and design a proposal for addressing it using art and culture to promote restorative justice practices. This course is an invitation to reimagine reparation and justice as a cultural and relational process.