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To The Rescue
Artwork Title: VOTE
Artist: Julian Schnabel
1992, screenprint on paper, Gift of Catherine Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, 2015/2.83
Though the 2020 U.S. Presidential election has seen more early voting and mail-in voting than any before it, millions are still heading to the polls today to cast their votes in person. American artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel made this piece during the U.S. general election of 1992 as a fundraising effort for the Democratic Party that year, which was trying to elect more women to the Senate.

The image shows a reproduction of a Baroque-style painting depicting a woman rescued from churning waters. The word "vote" is layered on top of this scene, perhaps speaking to the political landscape of that time. It's sometimes easy to feel like we're drowning or submerged -- in debt, in election ads, in COVID fears, etc -- and voting can be one way we can pull ourselves out.

Reflection Prompts:
  • Regardless of political affiliation, big elections can often be a time of great stress and feel like life and death for many voters, who view their futures or individual rights as being on the ballot. In what ways does Schnabel's image and mixture of styles reflect those feelings?
  • If this image were an advertisement for the USA, what would it tell you?
  • What is your voting plan? Have you already voted today? What was the experience like for you? How might the experience be different in other parts of the country?
Democracy Conversations -- Interactive Dialogue Deck

Look through 12 images from UMMA's collection, each paired randomly with thought-provoking prompts for reflection and conversation. Examine and explore social and political norms, values, and beliefs through shared dialogue and reflection.

We hope you’ll use this deck to create meaningful dialogue and connection with your family, friends, colleagues, and maybe even yourself.

Mcard holders can pick up the print version of the Dialogue Deck for free at the UMMA shop.
Image: Dominick Sokotoff
More than 7,000 votes cast at UMMA

In the lead-up to today's election, UMMA partnered with several organizations across Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus to transform our Stenn Gallery into a satellite City Clerk's Office. 

Since opening at the end of September, the office has processed more than 4,400 new voter registrations and received 7,100+ returned absentee ballots.
Share your I VOTED sticker

Show it off! If you've voted today (or still have your sticker from your absentee or early vote), post a photo to social media using the tag #Umichvotes and #Vote2020.
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