February 16, 2026 - 15:24
Something I am still thinking about from the readings is Shannon Finnegan’s Do You Want Us Here or Not series. These were the vibrant blue benches with white text that said things like “This exhibition has asked me to stand for too long. Sit if you agree.” These benches are such interactive pieces of art in that they directly address the viewer and invite them to come sit. Not only do the benches have this dynamic pull on the viewers, but the purposes/roles of the benches change as people sit on them. For example, depending on whether someone is sitting on the bench or not, the text may not be visible. When the text can be read, it helps people who do not need to sit to realize the importance of benches and how they are absent in other museums. When no one is on the bench, it also implies the absence of disabled people and inaccessibility of the venue. It helps non-disabled people realize how universal inaccessibility is--that even if the museum has a bench for someone to sit, the journey to the museum itself may be too inaccessible. When someone is sitting on the bench, the text is covered by their body. The gallery visitors may not be able to read the messages as well, but the benches are still very impactful. 1) they are still promoting rest resistance by allowing disabled people to be in the space, and 2) when the text is covered, the message is not lost--instead, the impact of the message changes from being visual to physical. The person on the bench may not be able to see the text that invites them to sit, but they still feel the sentiment as they enjoy their rest.
The last observation I would like to make is the trend of environmental and installation pieces in rest resistance artwork. The bench series, Black Power Naps: Black Bean Bed, and At Work (Grounding Tactics) are all sculptural works that are meant to be touched, laid on, sat on, etc. Unlike a 2-d painting that lies flat on the wall, these pieces take up a lot of space and allow visitors to engage directly with the work. The artwork is more personal in that each visitor can have their own unique interaction with the piece and decide what the work means to them. Additionally, environmental art as a medium works well with the social model of disability: the benches emphasis that inaccessibility is caused by inaccessible spaces, rather than the bodies of disabled people. I also see a uniqueness in interactive art in that it can be experienced via different senses, and thus give more than one message. It can be difficult to make non-disabled people understand the importance of disability justice without exploiting disabled people and intruding on their lives. Thus, I find it very powerful that the benches simultaneously protest inaccessibility and promote accessibility as they both make non-disabled people aware of their privilege and offer opportunities for rest to disabled people.