Optics: Visual Culture and Electoral Politics

Vote and then explore the impact of visual culture on electoral politics at a special election night edition of Optics: A New Way of Seeing Contemporary Culture, hosted by writer/editor Jillian Steinhauer with artist Daniel Bejar and featuring a special election-themed performance by Amy Khoshbin.

The evening begins with a discussion between Steinhauer and Khoshbin. They will explore how images and media profoundly shape our interpretation and navigation of electoral politics. From campaign posters and graphic identities, like Shepard Fairey’s unforgettable design for Barack Obama, to politicians’ self-styled photographs and social media presences—think President Trump trending on both Twitter and Instagram—the visual culture of politics is increasingly complex, and it’s more important than ever to deconstruct it.

Then, Khoshbin will perform an Election Day version of her piece You Never Know with Laurie Berg. You Never Know is a political speech (Khoshbin is running for City Council in District 39 of Brooklyn in 2021) turned cathartic rap performance educating on how we can change the system from the inside out and the ground up through voting, running for office, and keeping our spirits high in these trying times. Exploring the culture of violence and fear mongering that Western media perpetuates, Khoshbin encourages a positive group catharsis using some of that same media, video and rap music.