In light of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, artist Carrie Mae Weems developed a public art campaign to educate BIPOC communities about the disproportionate impact of this deadly virus on their lives and raise awareness of this inequity. The campaign used creative measures and projects to ensure safety, reinforce social distancing, and dispel harmful falsehoods about COVID-19. We accomplished this goal through billboards, creative messaging, public art projects, and other creative means to highlight the staggering death toll by COVID-19.
An artist-driven public awareness campaign led by Carrie Mae Weems
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OVER 30 MILLION BILLBOARD VIEWS
12O THOUSAND FREE GIVEAWAYS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES
OVER 5 MILLION IMPRESSIONS OF BUS SHELTERS IN SYRACUSE ALONE
The campaign used billboards, alternative messaging, public art projects, and other creative means to highlight the staggering death toll of COVID-19 and alert the general public. Through these efforts, it underscored the importance of social distancing, encouraged public discussion, dispelled the myths and dangers of false cures associated with the virus, and most importantly thanked our front line and essential workers. It spread across muncipalities, campuses, neighborhoods, food banks and galleries.
This effort led by MacArthur winning artist Carrie Mae Weems’ Social Studies 101 in association with Pierre Loving, and THE OFFICE performing arts + film, reached millions of people across the country and around the world. The messages paired with Ms. Weems powerful imagery were a call to action and a reminder of community during the pandemic’s darkest hours. Carrie Mae Weems Take 6 initiative began in May 2020 and ran continuously until Fall 2021.
2020
Syracuse, NY | New York City, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Nashville, TN | Chicago, IL | Detroit, MI | Miami, FL | Tulsa, OK | Dallas, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Sarasota, FL | Portland, OR | Eugene, OR | Atlanta, GA | Savannah, GA | Durham, NC | Williamstown, MA | North Adams, MA | Bennington, VT | Washington DC | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Newark, NJ | New Orleans, LA | Denver, CO | Columbus, OH | Minneapolis, MN | Sioux City, SD | Baltimore, MD | Phoenix, AZ | London, UK | Cardiff, UK | Johannesburg, SA
TEAM
Press
The Philadelphia Inquirer: MacArthur ‘genius’ artist Carrie Mae Weems on why she’s presenting COVID public art in Philly
Hyperallergic: Carrie Mae Weems Takes Over Lincoln Center to Highlight COVID-19 Impact on Communities of Color
American Alliance of Museums: Tales from Campus: Radical Collaboration at the Nasher Museum
Arts ATL: Carrie Mae Weems’ “RESIST COVID TAKE 6!” returns with this week’s ELEVATE fest
Scalawag: Carrie Mae Weems and arts institutions step in where Southern governments fall short on COVID-19
Curbed: Carrie Mae Weems Made a COVID PSA
