Fine arts and academia have an ongoing history of oppression. The VAV exists at the intersection of their colonial legacies and is woven into the fabric of structural and systemic violence(s) that uphold such institutions. This structural and systemic violence includes, and most often represents the prioritization of certain bodies and their interests based on race, ability, sex, gender, sexuality, nationality/status, class, education, culture, religion, and more. For instance, in the history of fine arts, certain movements have mobilized racist aesthetics to depict and interpret the experiences of colonized peoples while using such depictions to justify colonial rule (and, subsequently, neo-colonialism/global capitalism).
The VAV gallery recognizes that everyone is capable of (re)producing systemic violence to ascend hierarchical structures. The VAV Gallery strongly repudiates discrimination in all its forms and strives to build inclusive structures that work against the reproduction of systemic discrimination in all forms, as clearly stated in our mandate. The gallery invites all marginalized people to expand upon this statement as they see fit at any point in time by contacting this student organization.
That said, the VAV Gallery rejects the ongoing dehumanization of Palestinians, and stands firmly with Palestinian liberation. We condemn all acts of genocide, war crimes, and ongoing oppression conducted by the Israeli government and the Israeli Occupation Forces. We recognize that our institutions are complicit in this violence. The VAV supports other student coalitions, youth groups, and fellow comrades that are actively organizing on the grounds all over the world to support Palestine’s right to land and self-determination. We urge our community members to undergo their own research on the currently exacerbated Israeli inflicted apartheid and mobilize in the best way they can.
The VAV gallery is committed to fostering a collegiate work environment where staff, artists, and community members can thrive in a safe atmosphere of mutual respect. In pursuit of this goal, there is no tolerance for any form of harassment, hostile or threatening communication, and any manifestations of violence.