Amid the numerous movements surrounding the eradication of rape and rape culture, one Baltimore-based group has devised a unique way to acknowledge the stories of survivors while offering a safe space to share, grieve and heal. FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture is an Artist-Activist group that’s receiving international attention for the socially-charged, clever tactics that they employ to expose and eliminate rape culture. Their latest project, The Monument Quilt, is a crowd-sourced collection of thousands of stories, one for each quilt square from survivors of rape and abuse as well as their allies. “By stitching our stories together, survivors are creating and demanding public space to heal.” says Hannah Brancato, FORCE Co-director. FORCE’s thoughtful execution of the project has garnished an amazing reaction. When displayed in Baltimore and Washington DC, onlookers called The Monument Quilt a safe space to publicly express their pain, and a symbol to remind themselves and others that their experience matters.
The Quilt, which includes contributions from as far as South Dakota, is growing larger each day, and now FORCE is taking the The Monument Quilt experience on tour. The tour will make 10 stops in cities, towns and communities across the Eastern half of the United States this August.
The number and location of stops are determined by local interest, partner organizations, and funding received from the group’s recently launched Kickstarter. “Giving to our Kickstarter will allow us to take The Monument Quilt to places and people who will truly benefit from it,” says FORCE Co-Director Rebecca Nagle, “And those who give to our Kickstarter will also receive amazing prizes that we are really excited to share!” Consent themed unisex underwear are among the prizes that have been getting a lot of buzz. Nagle and Brancato also plan to gift an incredible, one of a kind art project- but supporters will have to keep checking in to find out what it is.
Photo by Mark Webster
Donating to the Kickstarter is one of many ways to engage with The Monument Quilt. Each Saturday in April and May, FORCE invites survivors and allies to their studio space to make their own quilt square. Organizations, places of worship and other groups are encouraged to use FORCE’s studio space to host quilt-making workshops as well. Engagement from dedicated volunteers plays an integral role in helping the quilt to grow. Those who wish to volunteer can find ways to do so by visiting themonumentquilt.org. The site also houses information and resources for survivors, as well as a list of upcoming events.
FORCE has successfully created a project and space that is helping to reshape the experience of survivors. They are educating communities, survivors and allies so survivors can be heard and embraced rather than silenced. “The Monument Quilt is a platform to not only tell our stories, but to work together to forever change how people in the US respond to rape.” Brancato explained. “We are creating a new culture where survivors are publicly supported rather than publicly shamed.”
If you are interested in bringing the Monument Quilt to your town, contact Force at: upsettingrapeculture@gmail.com.
