Julie Ann Otis’ “Wondering” from her Textbook Behavior series, as installed at Dugger Park in Medford, then vandalized two days later. (click to enlarge)

By Rachael Hines

Textbook Behavior is an 8-piece visual art installation by artist and intuitive healer Julie Ann Otis. The project is set to debut in Somerville on September 8 and be displayed for 8 to 10 weeks.

The project initially debuted to some controversy earlier this summer in Medford, at Morrison Park, Duggar Park, and Tufts Park. Otis said the art was installed for less than two days before she received a concerned phone call from a Medford resident, notifying her that multiple pieces of artwork had been vandalized.

“The two pieces at Duggar Park had been ripped down, but left there. The pieces at Morrison Park were ripped down and just gone.” said Otis.

Through crowdfunding, Otis was able to print and reinstall the pieces that were damaged or stolen. Less than 45 minutes after replacing the artwork in Morrison Park, the artwork was stolen again. “This time I installed it with bolts, so it couldn’t be ripped. So then they used box cutters and cut it down,” said Otis.

While frustrated by the vandalism, Otis said she was unsurprised at the controversy caused by the art, as it was created to question deeply ingrained values. With funding from the Somerville Arts Council and Medford Arts Council, Otis created the artwork to challenge white privilege and systemic racism. “For those who haven’t done the work of unpacking white privilege, there’s a real feeling of being attacked.”

Sometime in the fall, Otis is planning to hold a panel discussion on anti-racism public art and confronting white privilege. She welcomes all to attend, but particularly welcomes those interested in actively confronting their own biases. “I’m hoping to have a panel conversation about antiracism art, public art, the public conversation around that. I also want to talk about how we can use art and creativity to face white supremacy, white fragility, and white guilt,” said Otis. While the date is yet to be announced, Otis shared that the panel will also feature Massachusetts artist Scout Coumo.

Otis says she plans to take a break from making controversial public art, and wants to focus on her intuitive healing practice. To learn more about Otis and her art, check out @therealjulieannotis on Instagram.

 

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