Windows and Mirrors Across the Seattle Art Scene
Teen Editorial Staff September 2022 Editorial
Written by Teen Editorial Staff Members Kyle Gerstel and Aamina Mughal
As summer yields itself to autumn, a sense of renewal flurries in the air. For TeenTix, this manifests itself most literally in our new batch of TEDS (Teen Editorial Staff) and Newsroom writers, but we also want to consider the importance of increasing the range of stories we consume and how we consume them. Depending on your perspective, the events you’ll see reviewed on the blog this month can act as windows into experiences different from your own, as well as mirrors reflecting and representing voices that are too often left unheard.
Art has served as an outlet for marginalized communities, but the arts community has also historically suppressed these voices, making diverse perspectives inaccessible. We believe it is critical for teens (and all citizens) to see themselves represented in art and expose themselves to the experiences of others. As the school year starts back up, it is our hope that we continue this trend of renewal and are able to introduce a greater feeling of belonging in the arts scene.
In Madeline Sayet’s touring solo show, Where We Belong at the Seattle Repertory Theatre, audience members can gain a deeper understanding of the impact of colonialism through an authentic Native American lens. If you would like to witness a different representation of Indigenous culture, check out Radio III / ᎦᏬᏂᏍᎩ ᏦᎢ at On the Boards, a minimalistic performance of music and dance intended to serve as part of a metaphorical peacekeeping agreement between performers and audiences.
Meanwhile, Seattle Asian Art Museum is showcasing Chinese culture through multisensory, visual, auditory, and kinetic art in Beyond the Mountain: Contemporary Chinese Artists on the Classical Forms. If you’re a fan of science fiction but seldom watch films from other countries, start the school year with something familiar yet fresh by watching the acclaimed apocalyptic drama Vesper at The Grand Illusion Cinema.
Interested in art highlighting Queer narratives and artists? Consider taking a trip to ACT Theatre to experience Jamil Jude’s fresh interpretation of Choir Boy, a play with music that shines light on the intersectional identities of a Queer, Black teenager.
Alternatively, head further north to the Henry Art Gallery for Donna Huanca’s MAGMA SLIT, an exhibition that uses Indigenous themes to destabilize and challenge the male gaze on women.
From performance art to visual exhibitions, September is full of vibrant events illuminating a broad range of perspectives. This month and throughout the rest of the year, the 2022/2023 Teen Editorial Staff hopes to continue to support our peers in harnessing their unique perspectives in writing. Take advantage of the plethora of exciting events this month with your TeenTix Pass—we hope you find a clear mirror and perhaps a new window.
Lead Photo: Photo by @joyfulcaptures for Unsplash.
The TeenTix Newsroom is a group of teen writers led by the Teen Editorial Staff. For each review, Newsroom writers work individually with a teen editor to polish their writing for publication. The Teen Editorial Staff is made up of 6 teens who curate the review portion of the TeenTix blog. More information about the Teen Editorial Staff can be found HERE.
The TeenTix Press Corps promotes critical thinking, communication, and information literacy through criticism and journalism practice for teens. For more information about the Press Corps program see HERE.
