GVSU artist recognized for GLBT work

An interactive video installation, dealing with dehumanizing hate crimes inflicted on citizens because of their sexual orientation, seeks to re-humanize the individuals through personal stories of joy, love, fear and loss.

“Focus on the Family,” by Kim Roberts, who teaches in the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University, will be on exhibit September 25 through November 29 at Open Concept Gallery, 50 Louis NW, Grand Rapids. The exhibition came from research done while Roberts was on sabbatical leave.

As a result of Roberts’ work on this exhibit, she has been invited to serve as a co-chair, along with state Sen. Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit), for the September 29 Triangle Foundation’s 13th Annual Dinner in Dearborn, a major fundraising event for this advocacy organization for the state’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Based in Detroit, the organization has recently expanded to West Michigan.

Roberts’ unique exhibit requires active participation from its audience. While the installation includes videos of true stories about victimization, they are only visible when a visitor to the gallery takes on the role of the projection screen by donning one of the provided cloaks.

“All visitors, regardless of their understanding of GLBT issues, are invited to momentarily enter the lives of their fellow citizens,” said Roberts. “The experience may be physically and emotionally painful, yet the stories of love have the potential to uplift and empower.”

Roberts says the stories have many levels, revealing not only the torment by homophobic perpetrators, but also the many reasons the victims are, or were, loved by family and friends. She considers her work to be an invitation to intimate discussion. Two panel discussions that will accompany this exhibit are planned at the Amway Grand Plaza in October. “The Power of Art?” is on October 10 and “A Look in the Mirror: Reflections of Intolerance” on October 25.

Roberts received her MFA degree in video from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and her BFA degree in sculpture from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids. She currently teaches courses in video production, new media, and film and video art at Grand Valley. For more information see http://www.kimrobertsstudio.com .