There have been few times in US American history when the very concept of freedom of speech-its promise and its contradictions-has been under greater scrutiny. Guided by acclaimed artist, filmmaker, and activist Amar Kanwar, the Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School convened a series of public seminars on freedom of speech with the participation of some of the most original thinkers and artists on the topic. Structured as an open curriculum, each seminar examined a particular aspect of freedom of speech, reflecting on and informed by recent debates around hate speech, censorship, sexism, and racism in the US and elsewhere. Studies into Darkness emerges from these seminars as a collection of newly commissioned texts, artist projects, and resources that delve into the intricacies of free speech. Providing a practical and historical guide to free speech discourse and in-depth investigations that extend far beyond the current moment, and featuring poetic responses to the crises present in contemporary culture and society around expression, this publication provocatively questions whether true communication is ever attainable. Contributions by Zach Blas, Mark Bray, Natalie Diaz, Aruna D'Souza, Silvia Federici and Gabriela López Dena, Jeanne van Heeswijk, shawné michaelain holloway, Prathibha Kanakamedala and Obden Mondésir, Amar Kanwar, Carin Kuoni, Lyndon, Debora, and Abou, Svetlana Mintcheva, Mendi + Keith Obadike, Vanessa Place, Laura Raicovich, Michael Rakowitz, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, and Nabiha Syed.
1. U.S. History, Educational rights, Antifa, feminist manifesto, Agnes Denes, Wages for Housework, Combahee River Collective, W.A.G.E., Arahmaiani, Sisters Uncut, Laboria Cuboniks, Against Empathy, Language Warp, Against the Light, First Amendment, the 1619 project, Trump era, Trump presidency, ARTICLE 19, National Coalition Against Censorship, Weeksville Heritage Center, Social Media, Freedom of Speech, and the Future of Our Democracy, Oxford Handbook of Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Speech: The History of an Idea, Freedom of Speech: Mightier Than the Sword, David K. Shipler, When Freedom Speaks, it's not free speech, Free Speech and Hate Speech in the United States, Free Speech and Why It Matters, A People's History of the United States, Isabel Wilkerson, Caste
2. Political control and freedoms
3. The Arts: art forms
4. The arts: general topics