The opening of the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition in Times Square. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
This fall, a 27-foot-long box truck featuring the phrase “Your Body Is a Battleground” in Barbara Kruger’s iconic red, white, and black will travel across the country, showcasing art focused on bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, queer liberation, and trans joy.
The three-month-long mobile exhibition, titled “Body Freedom for Every(Body),” launched in Times Square on Wednesday as part of the Armory Show, organized by Newark's Project for Empty Space in partnership with Times Square Arts.
Featuring a rotating selection of work from over 100 artists—mostly reproductions due to insurance reasons—the exhibition boasts an impressive lineup. Kruger, who designed an anti-graffiti vinyl wrap for the truck, is joined by notable artists including Marilyn Minter, Dread Scott, Ana Mendieta, Laurie Simmons, Andrea Bowers, Chitra Ganesh, Ryan McGinley, Shahzia Sikander, and Helina Metaferia.
“Body Freedom for Every(Body)” draws inspiration from Project for Empty Space’s 2019/20 show “Abortion Is Normal,” which aimed to create a safe space for discussing the complexities of abortion as a fact of life. Co-directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol recognized that while New York and Newark provide relatively safe environments, many cities across the country are seeing increasing restrictions on abortion rights, especially following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Project for Empty Space co-directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Jampol with the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
“We thought about how wonderful it would be to take this kind of work on the road, going to places where people might not have immediate access to community and supportive networks,” Jampol explained.
The idea of a mobile exhibition took shape when the duo unexpectedly received a truck from an anonymous donor, prompting them to plan a tour. Project for Empty Space brought in Sam Giarratani, head of Negative Space, to manage the project, while artist Ann Lewis signed on as the tour manager, traveling alongside the truck.
“This is essentially the issue I’ve been advocating for in my work for the past eight years,” Lewis said, having left her adjunct professor position to join the tour. “I want to help humanize the conversation around bodily autonomy.”
Gabrielle Simmons, vice president of She Trucking and a seasoned trucking professional, volunteered to drive the art-filled truck. “I absolutely love art, so driving an art gallery on wheels is amazing,” Simmons said. “And I love the mission!”
Work on view in the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition in Times Square. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
The truck, previously used by art handlers, is well-equipped for art storage and transportation. Wahi and Jampol have curated 35 configurations for a rotating gallery wall with built-in frames that can change daily, along with a cozy reading lounge for intimate discussions. A digital gallery will also showcase the entire collection online, accompanied by an ongoing exhibition at Project for Empty Space’s Chinatown location.
Each stop along the tour will feature a small selection of works, including chrome-plated sculptures by Aimee Koran that represent motherhood and baby-related items, such as a manual breast pump with a shiny red finish. Outside the truck, Michele Pred will display two large inflatable sculptures representing the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol, emphasizing access to medication abortion pills even in states where abortion is illegal.
“Disseminating information about access to abortion pills is crucial,” Pred stated. “You can still obtain medication abortion pills in states where abortion is banned. Visit plancpills.org, and if you can’t afford it, they will assist.”
Sam Kirk. Glorious. 2019. Courtesy of the artist
The “Body Freedom” exhibition is currently at New York University’s Center for Black Visual Culture and will move to AIDS Memorial Park in Greenwich Village on Sunday, followed by Newark on Tuesday. The truck will then head to Washington, D.C., kicking off a series of nine stops through early December.
While the tour will include a stop in Los Angeles, it will primarily traverse distinctly red states—such as Iowa, Missouri, and Arizona, and two locations in Texas and Florida—culminating in Miami Beach just in time for Art Basel, connecting two major events on the U.S. art fair calendar.
Informal “Truck Talks” will be held at the back of the truck, starting on September 10, featuring speakers like Ayumi Shakur, Newark’s director of arts and cultural affairs; artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, known for the “Stop Telling Women to Smile” campaign; and public policy advocate Quadira Coles, president of the New Jersey Abortion Access Fund. Overall, the project aims to engage communities in meaningful conversations. “I believe,” Wahi said, “that people will be receptive to it.”
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
The opening of the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition in Times Square. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
This fall, a 27-foot-long box truck featuring the phrase “Your Body Is a Battleground” in Barbara Kruger’s iconic red, white, and black will travel across the country, showcasing art focused on bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, queer liberation, and trans joy.
The three-month-long mobile exhibition, titled “Body Freedom for Every(Body),” launched in Times Square on Wednesday as part of the Armory Show, organized by Newark's Project for Empty Space in partnership with Times Square Arts.
Featuring a rotating selection of work from over 100 artists—mostly reproductions due to insurance reasons—the exhibition boasts an impressive lineup. Kruger, who designed an anti-graffiti vinyl wrap for the truck, is joined by notable artists including Marilyn Minter, Dread Scott, Ana Mendieta, Laurie Simmons, Andrea Bowers, Chitra Ganesh, Ryan McGinley, Shahzia Sikander, and Helina Metaferia.
“Body Freedom for Every(Body)” draws inspiration from Project for Empty Space’s 2019/20 show “Abortion Is Normal,” which aimed to create a safe space for discussing the complexities of abortion as a fact of life. Co-directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol recognized that while New York and Newark provide relatively safe environments, many cities across the country are seeing increasing restrictions on abortion rights, especially following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Project for Empty Space co-directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Jampol with the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
“We thought about how wonderful it would be to take this kind of work on the road, going to places where people might not have immediate access to community and supportive networks,” Jampol explained.
The idea of a mobile exhibition took shape when the duo unexpectedly received a truck from an anonymous donor, prompting them to plan a tour. Project for Empty Space brought in Sam Giarratani, head of Negative Space, to manage the project, while artist Ann Lewis signed on as the tour manager, traveling alongside the truck.
“This is essentially the issue I’ve been advocating for in my work for the past eight years,” Lewis said, having left her adjunct professor position to join the tour. “I want to help humanize the conversation around bodily autonomy.”
Gabrielle Simmons, vice president of She Trucking and a seasoned trucking professional, volunteered to drive the art-filled truck. “I absolutely love art, so driving an art gallery on wheels is amazing,” Simmons said. “And I love the mission!”
Work on view in the “Body Freedom for Every(Body)” mobile exhibition in Times Square. Courtesy of Carlos Hernandez
The truck, previously used by art handlers, is well-equipped for art storage and transportation. Wahi and Jampol have curated 35 configurations for a rotating gallery wall with built-in frames that can change daily, along with a cozy reading lounge for intimate discussions. A digital gallery will also showcase the entire collection online, accompanied by an ongoing exhibition at Project for Empty Space’s Chinatown location.
Each stop along the tour will feature a small selection of works, including chrome-plated sculptures by Aimee Koran that represent motherhood and baby-related items, such as a manual breast pump with a shiny red finish. Outside the truck, Michele Pred will display two large inflatable sculptures representing the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol, emphasizing access to medication abortion pills even in states where abortion is illegal.
“Disseminating information about access to abortion pills is crucial,” Pred stated. “You can still obtain medication abortion pills in states where abortion is banned. Visit plancpills.org, and if you can’t afford it, they will assist.”
Sam Kirk. Glorious. 2019. Courtesy of the artist
The “Body Freedom” exhibition is currently at New York University’s Center for Black Visual Culture and will move to AIDS Memorial Park in Greenwich Village on Sunday, followed by Newark on Tuesday. The truck will then head to Washington, D.C., kicking off a series of nine stops through early December.
While the tour will include a stop in Los Angeles, it will primarily traverse distinctly red states—such as Iowa, Missouri, and Arizona, and two locations in Texas and Florida—culminating in Miami Beach just in time for Art Basel, connecting two major events on the U.S. art fair calendar.
Informal “Truck Talks” will be held at the back of the truck, starting on September 10, featuring speakers like Ayumi Shakur, Newark’s director of arts and cultural affairs; artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, known for the “Stop Telling Women to Smile” campaign; and public policy advocate Quadira Coles, president of the New Jersey Abortion Access Fund. Overall, the project aims to engage communities in meaningful conversations. “I believe,” Wahi said, “that people will be receptive to it.”
