The Power of the Vote: Dana Woulfe’s Installation at Be the Change Boston 2023 on Voter Suppression and Systematic Racism
Published Jul 25, 2023
The Power of the Vote
Above: Dana Woulfe alongside his piece The Power of the Vote on view in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, August 2023.
How can we encourage and empower individuals to vote and fight against voter suppression?
TAKE ACTION:
Register to vote.
Donate to the Movement Voter Project to fight against voter suppression where it matters most.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
This sculpture is a monument to the power of the vote and its ability to affect change and overcome oppression. The piece will feature a large section of a concrete wall being knocked over (leaning), with a large abstract “check” wrapping around the wall symbolizing the power of the vote and its ability to knock down walls. The piece will have QR codes and physical forms allowing people to register to vote on-site, and donate via Movement Voter Project to help where it matters most. This serves to educate and activate, collecting goodwill and redistributing it (via the vote) in the spirit of the Jewish Tzedakah Box.
Materials: Concrete, concrete board, acrylic paint, and spray paint.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Dana Woulfe is a visual artist living and working near Boston, MA. He is known for his colorful abstract paintings and large-scale mural work. A New England native, he grew up in Rhode Island and learned to appreciate the arts at a young age through the influence of his grandmother, an illustrator, and painter. After moving to Boston in the mid-90s to attend Massachusetts College of Art, he became involved in the local graffiti scene and developed an affiliation with the members of Project SF, a local art/graffiti collective. As co-director of Project SF, he directed and exhibited at events worldwide, and worked with clients including Nike, Converse, Vitamin Water, and Bodega. His solo and collaborative work has appeared in publications such as Juxtapoz, Booooooom, Inked, Acclaim, and Sole Collector. Woulfe currently runs Studio Fresh, a hand paint mural and graphics company, and works out of his Beverly-based studio, where he continues to develop his visual language and build towards whatever comes next.
LEARN MORE about Be the Change.
👁️ Look above to watch 4 Questions with Be the Change Global Ambassador and CEO of T’ruah Rabbi Jill Jacobs, former President of American Jewish World Service and Co-Chair of Be the Change Global Ambassadors Ruth Messinger, and artist Dana Woulfe.
Be the Change Walking Tour: Dana Woulfe
(3 min) Listen to Dana Woulfe describe his piece for the Be the Change Walking Tour.
LOCATION:
Located next to Wahlburgers.
Find it in the Fenway! Click here to see the full Be the Change Boston 2023 map.
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👁️ Look above to watch 4 Questions with Be the Change Global Ambassador and CEO of T’ruah Rabbi Jill Jacobs, former President of American Jewish World Service and Co-Chair of Be the Change Global Ambassadors Ruth Messinger, and artist Dana Woulfe.
The Power of the Vote
(4 min) Artist Dana Woulfe discusses his abstract “monument” The Power of the Vote and what voting and tzedakah have in common with Be the Change Global Ambassador and CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights Rabbi Jill Jacobs and Ruth Messinger, former President and CEO of American Jewish World Service.
Obligation to Community
(3 min) Be the Change Global Ambassador and CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights Rabbi Jill Jacobs talks about our obligation to build the society we want to live in with The Power of the Vote artist Dana Woulfe and Ruth Messinger, former President and CEO of American Jewish World Service.
Democratic Crisis
(4 min) Be the Change Global Ambassador and CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights Rabbi Jill Jacobs, former President and CEO of American Jewish World Service Ruth Messinger, and artist Dana Woulfe discuss the correlation between the current state of democracy in the U.S. with the rise in antisemitism.
Your Voice Has Impact
(4 min) Artivist Dana Woulfe answers former President and CEO of American Jewish World Service and Co-Chair of Be the Change Global Ambassadors Ruth Messinger’s question “What do you hope people seeing your artwork will be motivated to do?”
Take Action: Register to vote and/or donate to the Movement Voter Project to fight against voter suppression where it matters most.
JArts’ mission is to curate, celebrate, and build community around the diverse world of Jewish arts, culture, and creative expression. Our vision is of a more connected, engaged, and tolerant world inspired by Jewish arts and culture.
Reflections
1
How does the visual representation of a concrete wall being knocked over and the abstract "check" symbolize the transformative potential of voting? How does this artwork inspire and encourage viewers to reflect on the importance of their own vote?
2
In what ways do you think this interactive aspect of the artwork can effectively engage and empower people to take action? How does the concept of collecting goodwill and redistributing it through the vote align with the principles of the Jewish Tzedakah Box?
3
How can the integration of education, activism, and art in this installation create a powerful and meaningful impact in inspiring individuals to participate in the democratic process?
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