Gallery of Speculation

In order to understand the significance of speculative engagement from an artistic perspective, I wish to quote the ‘Introduction’ of Marina Vishmidt’s edited work titled Speculation : Documents of Contemporary Art. Vishmidt quotes Henk Slager’s idea that speculation begins with method; a process of questioning which asks: “how could we engage in that assignment of reconsidering the revealing speculation in order to arrive at a novel panorama and ‘not-yet-known-knowledge?” (10) Vishmidt also states, “Speculation, thus, as a method as well as a field of study and praxis, is one that necessitates a situated perspective to shift, but also its readiness for that perspective to shift, both in light of its objects and the shifting problematics and imperatives of knowledge production in its social, historical and economic relations and antagonisms.” (11) She further describes the notion that the speculative acts like a ‘vector of transformation’ when it is ‘brought into contact with the ‘materialist’ or ‘social reality’. (Ibid). In my mind it is anticipatory and to some extent constructed in order to promote this ‘vector of transformation.’

Banned Books

Speculative letters between myself, and Midwestern author, Mikki Kendall,  create an awareness around judicial decisions condoning book bans. It is a fact that Hood Feminism, was censored and banned in Texas in 2021. (https://www.newsweek.com/black-authors-are-beingpulled-school-libraries-over-critical-race-theory-fears-1669403), and that Mikki Kendall publicly reacted to the ban.

Ann Wachter to Mikki Kendall & Mikki’s Reply
English typeset in black ink
on Card Stock, 8 x 11 inch

Kendall’s work is one example of the type of book subjected to banning in a variety of school districts throughout the US. These books are typically written by BIPOC populations on topics of racial disparity and LBGTQ+ experiences. Book bans have quickly expanded to include established classics such as Belovedby Toni Morrison and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

Kendall garnered a lot of favorable media attention for her work, circa 2023. Chicago Today interviewed her about the same time NBC 5 Chicago featured an article titled Banned Book Club March pick: Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall.

Global Implications

Book bans span US history and are a global phenomenon. Yalqun Rozi was appointed by the Chinese government to serve as an author, educator and editor in the Uyghur region, a geographic area once populated by the Uyghurs, a people of Turkic origins. Beginning in October of 2016, Uyghur intellectuals, later including Mr. Rozi (circa 2017), were arrested for performing their duties. His life’s work, which centered on the history and culture of the Uyghur people, was collected and destroyed. Rozi’s wife and children now reside in the US, longing for his safe release

This speculative letter—written from the persona of a former eighth-year student who once resided in the same region—sets up a global conversation about topics of censorship and penal offenses. The student is a friend and former classmate of Rozi’s son. They both attended CUNY. In college, the student learns of his friend’s father’s plight and decides to write to Mr. Rozi. The student expresses his gratitude and good wishes for all Mr. Rozi did to preserve their cultural heritage.

Intersectional Feminism

This section is highly problematic for me because I’m a white woman whose art speculates about the voice of two Black and two white women. My speculative task is intended to be reparative, not adversarial. I recognize my privilege is unwarranted and pray for a little latitude. I intend to speculate about the importance of the leadership and strength of the Black feminist voice and what it represents for all women. I feel a speculative framework may be the most effective way to connect both Black and white concerns about the US justice system since, in reality, the white practice of serving the Intersectional Feminist cause, professes anonymity.

My speculative conversation doesn’t pretend to have the same clout required to create a collaborative and reparative spirit both Black and white women (indeed all women) are capable of. I believe change is achievable if both races of women find ways to work together. My speculative intellectual property represents Michelle Obama’s voice because she is a first lady and as such, resides in the scope of my research practice. I firmly believe Michelle would not want me to back down from this task.

My clothing tags depict a Q&A between Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Nannerl Mozart and Rachel Jackson. Each woman is a prominent historical figure. I’ve gathered them together to explore Oprah’s key question: “What advice do you feel is important for our first Black female supreme court justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson?

My historically-based Q&A operates as a speculative model which attends to each figure’s response from the vantage point of my historical research. These four prominent women become role models who work together to foster change by simply listening to one another. I’m suggesting that it is important for white women to bridge cultural and racial divides thereby breaching the traditional roles defined by Intersectional Feminism. I am therefore suggesting that it is time to create a new form of advocacy which joins the voices of all women.