Seattle, Wash., April 28, 2016 – #ExposeRape is a community coalition of anti-rape organizers and artists dedicated to dismantling rape culture in Seattle. #ExposeRape was formed out of necessity in response to the media attention given to a series of international high profile rape proponents and the lack of institutional action and accountability.
First, before we dive into our mission, just what is “rape culture?” According to the organization Women against violence against women, “rape culture” is a term that was coined by feminists in the United States in the 1970’s. It was designed to show the ways in which society blamed victims of sexual assault and normalized sexual violence.”
Our mission is to expose and broaden the way that rape is viewed and defined, bust rape myths and create consent culture through public art. We are not compromising in our message and we don’t have to divide rape by the communities it affects. By highlighting a diverse group of artists in this project we aim to represent a wide range of experiences, all with powerful messages in combating rape culture.
The first project is a poster series plastered across the city of Seattle under the tag #ExposeRape. We have received submissions from 12 artists with anti-rape messaging. This project serves as a public service announcement in combating rape culture by calling into question rape myths and harmful norms around drinking, consent and sexual space.
While rape culture has sprung up in national public dialogue in reference to University campuses, a local effort to combat rape culture in more spaces than elite universities has been largely lacking.
#ExposeRape seeks to fill this gap in Seattle by sparking a dialogue in the streets.
Join the conversation during a forum on Thursday June 2nd at the old Value Village Warehouse on 11th Ave to exhibit the art and create a space for public dialogue and solution seeking on this issue.
Artists Featured
PUSPUS
Eric Jolson Rhea Vega
Kaya Axelsson
Shogo Ota
Alex Garland
Oscar Arreguin Mendez
Ken McCarty
Crybaby Studios
CamCreature & Ms. 3
Amy Huber
Jazz Brown
Yoona Lee
I Want You Studio (Christian Petersen)
About #ExposeRape
As Seattle changes rapidly and density increases, many culture shocks are deeply felt, sexual violence and street harassment among them. Too often, this experience is suffered in silence. With the #ExposeRape project we are seeking to call out rape culture and create consent culture through public art.