Barnet (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Barnet residents share personal stories and perspectives on freedom in a new exhibition, ‘To Us It Means,’ showcasing the community’s experiences and insights.
Artsdepot in North Finchley has inaugurated a compelling new show that explores what freedom means in the twenty-first century. The exhibition, named To Us It Means, is an element of a civil crusade to mark the 80th anniversary of the Second World War’s conclusion.
The exhibition, which runs until Saturday (1st November) is the result of a deeply community-focused project. Community producer and project lead Divya Satwani explains:
“I engaged with people across the borough of Barnet, collecting personal reflections on what freedom means to them today.”
In order to close the gap between historical occurrences and current realities, the project has looked for the accounts of senior citizens. The exhibition combines layered sound pieces by artists Brigitte Adela and Bettina Adela with portrait photography.
One distinctive aspect is the incorporation of historical archival materials from the Barnet Museum, including newspapers and diaries from 1945, which are essential artifacts to comprehend the evolution of freedom and times.
Divya Satwani, emphasises the timely relevance of the project:
“To Us It Means is a moving and collaborative project. Listening to these diverse stories in a world where liberties are often contested and unequal, especially with what’s happening around wars and immigration at the moment, has been both humbling and inspiring.”
She hopes the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on their own definition of freedom. To Divya, to be free as an individual means
“having the space and capacity to express myself authentically and to feel at peace.”
And from a collective point of view?
“It means belonging and caring. A community that can live and thrive with dignity and joy, where every voice is heard and every person feels safe enough to exist fully.”
Who curated the community contributors for the exhibition?
The community contributors for the “To Us It Means” exhibition in Barnet were curated through a cooperative process that involved residents themselves. A team of community janitors, made up of people, worked alongside organizers to collect and shape the stories and cultural expressions presented in the exhibition.
This inclusive curation approach emphasizes community commission, icing that the exhibition reflects different voices and lived experiences.
Community janitors generally engage in conditioning like shaping displays, writing exhibition interpretation, and working nearly with gallery staff to co-create a meaningful narrative centered on the theme, in this case, freedom. This model has been successfully used in other community concentrated exhibitions to increase representation and addition in artistic systems.
