The Art of Resistance
by Judith Anthony, WAMM

Nestled in a multicultural neighborhood near 16th Avenue on East Lake Street sits the Babylon Art and Cultural Center, a collectively run, volunteer-staffed community art space. Meg Novak, a serious, straight-speaking woman who is the driving force behind the collective, explains, “Babylon refers to the Babylon of Hammurabi, where language developed and was one of the first places where art was a part of the culture. I wanted a place to bring art and social action together, especially the politics that is a part of people’s everyday lives, like dealing with the basic means of survival, spiritually and physically. Oppressed people need to have a voice against racism, sexism, and homophobia.”

The space, formerly occupied by another gallery, was initially to be a coffee shop and gallery, but it evolved into a political art space after September 11, 2001. Novak initiated the “Many Voices Political Forum” for artists with a deepened political focus who did not have a voice. She made twenty-five flyers for the first meeting, and thirty people showed! Novak recalls that first meeting as a healing session. Soon after, in October 2001, Babylon opened its first art show and performance piece: “The Art of Resistance.”

For the first eight months of Babylon’s existence, Novak paid for the expenses out-of-pocket. Slowly now, with money from the film series and performances, the bills are being paid from Babylon’s programs. Novak is currently applying for non-profit status, as well as looking into grants.

At present, Babylon is run by a collective of four people who meet and make decisions about the space and finances. Babylon rents studio space to two visual artists, has two large gallery rooms, and performance space for small, one-act performances, music, and spoken word.

Babylon is also home to WomenCreate!, a Twin Cities women’s artist collective, founded in April 2001. The goals of WomenCreate! are to enable its members to reach their creative potential, exhibit the work of women artists, and use skills to enrich the community. In November, Babylon will exhibit “Through the Eyes of Women,” an art show that will “explore the world around us through a woman’s gaze.” The opening reception for the show will be held at Babylon Art and Cultural Center November 9, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. (For more information see sidebar.)

This past summer Meg Novak took time away from the Babylon Center to journey with Voices in the Wilderness to Iraq. Speaking of her reception by people who have suffered under U.N. sanctions for twelve years, she says, “We were welcomed with open arms and fed by people on food rations who opened their homes and their hearts to us.”
She met with about twenty-five Iraqi artists, video taped interviews, collected forty works of art, and brought them home with her. These works and the video will make up an art show to tour the U.S. and Europe, which opens February 2003 at Babylon Art and Cultural Center. The objective of this show is to provide a platform for Iraqi artists to speak in their own voices.

“Saddam Hussein is the only voice we hear in the U.S. There are 22 million other voices,” says Novak. “I want this show to provide a human face to the Iraqi people, and reveal the effects of the sanctions on the cultural life of Iraq. The sanctions are not just on material goods, but also on ideas and culture.”

Novak, who brought to Iraq much-needed, donated art supplies from Twin Cities artists, says, “The artists have been extremely innovative to keep the arts thriving during the sanctions. Some make their own canvases out of jeans and sheets treated with glue; art canvas is too expensive or just not available. Others paint on thin cardboard food boxes. One artist was painting with tar and kerosene. The artists feel isolated . . . there are no art magazines, no dialogue with artists in the rest of the world.”

As an answer to this isolation, Novak is planning a program called “Art Without Borders,” which will start a dialogue with artists in Iraq and Palestine. She envisions participants doing workshops, painting, and exhibiting together.
Babylon is seeking collective members, volunteers, and financial support. For additional information, please see the information below .

Art Resources
Babylon Art and Cultural Center
1624 E. Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-722-5438

Gallery hours are Monday–Friday
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WomenCreate!
A Twin Cities women’s artist collective
Meets at Babylon Art and Cultural Center every other Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Women artists of all media and skills are welcome.

“Through the Eyes of Women”
An art show that will “explore the world around us through a woman’s gaze.”

The opening reception for the show will be held at Babylon Art and Cultural Center November 9, 2002, at 7:30 p.m.

(All women artists are invited to submit their work for the show on November 3 or 4, between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.)
Babylon Art and Cultural Center is seeking collective members and volunteers to staff the space, do maintenance, publicity, and Web design. Babylon will also welcome a person with carpentry skills to build shelves. Anyone wishing to donate to “Art Without Borders” or the “Iraqi Art Exchange” can write a check to Cultural Connexions or contact Meg Novak at megbabylon@hotmail.com. Contributions can also be made out to the “The Babylon Collective.”