Equity and Access: Art & Protest in Spain Favorite 

The nature of these issues are such that some individuals or groups are faced with different levels of inequity, creating unequal opportunity and power structures. Marginalized populations, in order to gain visibility, often advocate through nontraditional means, such as protest, performance, and art. Throughout the city of Madrid, there are countless examples of artistic activism including but not limited to LGBTQIA+ rights, gentrification, feminism, animal rights, and government critiques which will be outlined in our gallery. Each of these social issues are relevant to Spain, specifically the city of Madrid where we have spent the last four weeks as university students studying these topics. Most of the issues we will outline are focused on Madrid, but many could relate to other areas throughout the world. Due to these inequity issues seen throughout Madrid as well as in other European cities, it is not uncommon to see works of art representing the issues as a call to action. These artworks have been found both in museums and on local streets, some more obvious than others. The different ways in which these pieces were created and presented brings into question who the intended audience is. In this gallery, one will be able to see different ways in which public spaces were transformed and how that shapes who it influences. As students, we believe we have an interesting perspective on the different works we have studied, and are hoping to help bring awareness and understanding to them as we each bring light to our chosen pieces.
-Undergraduate students of Art & Activism, CIEE Open Campus. Summer 2022, Madrid, Spain