Which Side Are You On? was conceived during the former (and now current) president’s tenure in office and before Covid shut the world down. While Covid is becoming an endemic, seasonal illness, a clear and present danger to the stability of our country and our democracy persists. I began thinking about this threat, this continued collaboration, the desire of some to burn down our democracy, and institute an authoritarian, or worse, a fascist leaning, government. From these musings, drawing from art history, specifically Porch of the Maidens located in the Erechtheion, and my own lived experience, my installation idea was born.

The Porch of the Maidens serves as architectural supports for the physical structure of the Erechtheion Temple, which is part of the Greek Acropolis in Athens, the birthplace of democracy. In their connection with the Maidens, the wax sculptures on columns come to carry a similar meaning. Fire is transmutable. It both destroys and encourages growth. As the candles melt, are we witnessing the demise or rebirth of democracy?

Janice Ledgerwood
www.janiceledgerwood.art
IG: @bodhigrrrl