CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Learn about the Artists as Activists exhibit from Curator Charlotta Kotik and see it virtually before it closes with the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s virtual talk and tour. This exclusive online event includes a live presentation by Kotik on Wednesday, September 16, at 7 p.m. CDT, and a tour of the exhibit with NCSML Curator Stefanie Kohn that can be accessed at any time.

Artists as Activists features contemporary artists who are responding to political oppression through their work. Examples can be found in the former Czechoslovakia where David Černý brought attention to the overpowering domination of the Soviet Union over a large swath of Central and Eastern Europe, or in China where Ai Weiwei points out the disregard to the living conditions of his compatriots. Artists as Activists investigates the roles of artists in addressing these issues.

The exhibit brings the works of internationally recognized contemporary artists to the NCSML, including Ai Weiwei, David Černý, Emily Jacir, Hong Hao, jc lenochan, Juanma Garcia, Malik Sajad, and Tania Bruguera. This exhibit, on display through September 20, is a new addition to the international art scene, as many of the pieces in Artists as Activists have never been shown together before.

Four tour packages are available for purchase.

• The $20.00 Tour Only Package includes the Zoom invite code for the Virtual Talk with Charlotta Kotik, a link to the exhibit tour video with Stefanie Kohn, and a coupon code for $20 off any purchase of $50 or more in the NCSML’s award-winning Museum Store. The coupon code may be used in-store or online.
• The $40 Ai Weiwei Book & Tour Package includes the Zoom invite code for the Virtual Talk with Charlotta Kotik, a link to the exhibit tour video with Stefanie Kohn, a copy of NCSML’s Artists as Activists Slovo magazine, a custom LEGO keychain, an ART MATTERS jotter, and six cookies from Rawlicious. This package also includes a copy of Ai Weiwei, a comprehensive book featuring sculptural installations, photographs, and videos from every aspect of the artist’s career to date. This package is valued at $130.
• The $30 Emily Jacir Book & Tour Package includes the Zoom invite code for the Virtual Talk with Charlotta Kotik, a link to the exhibit tour video with Stefanie Kohn, a copy of NCSML’s Artists as Activists Slovo magazine, an ART MATTERS jotter, six cookies from Rawlicious, and an illustrated publication of Emily Jacir’s recent works. This package is valued at $105.
• The $20 Tania Bruguera Book & Tour includes the Zoom invite code for the Virtual Talk with Charlotta Kotik, a link to the exhibit tour video with Stefanie Kohn, a copy of Unfree Speech by Joshua Wong, a copy of NCSML’s Artists as Activists Slovo magazine, and six cookies from Rawlicious. This package is valued at $91.

Packages may be purchased by calling the NCSML at (319) 362-8500 or online at https://ncsml.org/event/artists-as-activists-virtual-talk-tour/.

Packages must be purchased by September 16 in order to attend the live talk.