Break Something and Bring Awareness to Injustice to Women

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 20, 2019) Ever felt so angry about a situation you wanted to break something? Here’s your chance – and it is all in the name of a good cause.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, three University of Kentucky Gaines Fellows, Anna Stamm, Madison Von Deylen and Kate Cox, will host “One is Too Many,” a performance art piece in the Art and Visual Studies Building Atrium. “One is Too Many” aims to raise awareness about female health misconceptions and gender-based violence in our local area.

As part of the event, participants will receive a ceramic plate, bowl or glass to smash as a cathartic experience acknowledging injustice against women. A monetary contribution (big or small) is recommended as proceeds will be donated to Ampersand: Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass, the Bluegrass Health Center of Lexington, and GreenHouse17, local organizations that work in the field.

“One is Too Many” is presented as part of Stamm, Von Deylen and Cox’s junior year engagement project at the Gaines Center for the Humanities.

After the “plate smash” phase of the project, the students will send out two calls for artists:

  • one that will use the shards from the plate smash, and
  • one for artworks related to the topics addressed by the project.

In the early fall, the students will host a showcase where they will display all the artworks, performance pieces, research projects and informative talks created in relation to the topics.

Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK’s campus. The Gaines Center is designed to enrich the study of the humanities as an intellectual activity and as a means to self-betterment. The center offers courses and sponsors activities that appeal to faculty and students in all disciplinary fields.