There have been few times in American history when the very concept of freedom of speech—its promise and its contradictions—has been under greater scrutiny. Studies into Darkness: The Perils and Promise of Freedom of Speech  provides a practical and historical guide to free speech discourse and combines it with poetic responses to the contemporary crises around free expression. Designed by Nontsikelelo Mutiti and Julia Novitch, the book itself plays with the concept of darkness as both a tonal variation and a factor of legibility, a space from which truth can be extracted or hindered.

This program brings together the book’s editors Carin Kuoni and Laura Raicovich, contributors Aruna D’Souza and Kameelah Janan Rasheed in conversation, and artists Mendi + Keith Obadike, who present their performance In The Mouth of This Dragon.

Please note that all visitors must show proof of vaccination and booster shot, if applicable, along with a matching government ID in order to attend. Guests must also be masked at all times.

Studies into Darkness is co-published with Amherst College Press, and features contributions by Zach Blas, Mark Bray, Gabriela López Dena, Natalie Diaz, Aruna D’Souza, Silvia Federici, Jeanne van Heeswijk, shawné michaelain holloway, Prathibha Kanakamedala, Amar Kanwar, Carin Kuoni, Lyndon, Debora, and Abou, Svetlana Mintcheva, Obden Mondésir, Mendi + Keith Obadike, Vanessa Place, Laura Raicovich, Michael Rakowitz, Kameelah Janan Rasheed, and Nabiha Syed.