We The Invisible Are Visible

I am riding a tube to participate (watch/witness) in two dada-ish interventions at Tate’s Modern and Britain. The first by Anahita Harding is silent and posing the question are you comfortable yet. I wonder where discomfort may arise. Impairment doesn’t feature in my response. The second is by Christina Lovey and seems to include clog dancing on a wooden board as such it moves me through time and tradition. I become aware that this is the first time that I have visited Tate Britain since the Jack Whistler protest – not that we protested about Whistler.

I feel caught between art and activism. I’m not sure which I value most. My history is advocacy. My history is activism. My current activity is as an artist. A poet. I like being a poet. It gives me the opportunity to declaim the world, reflect on where i was and where I am.

I am contemplating who i wrote this one for. I am wondering who I am addressing. I am wondering if there is a point to being included like this.

I wrote this poem on site. At the Tate Galleries.

We The Invisible Are Visible

We the invisible are visible*
Highgate, Embankment, Blackfriars, then Tate
Are you OK with me taking this route

Challenge set. Are you comfortable yet?
Question in response will you ever be?

With bathing beauties, fish out of water

.................................................................

Read the full poem at Disability Arts Online.