The Power of Disability Part 3 — with Carmen Papalia

Non-visual artist Carmen Papalia speaks with Al Etmanski about the rampancy of ableism across institutions — from the art world to healthcare, to the symbol of the white cane. Carmen and Al discuss how institutions can be sites of retraumatization that can often overlook and underappreciate variations in ability.

Carmen also explores some key ideas central to disability justice, provides some suggestions on how to be a good ally, and considers how accessibility is dependent on the social, cultural, and political conditions of a space and the people within it. Carmen speaks about some of his works, including White Cane Amplified, Mobility Device, and Open Access, drawing out his own positions on the topic of disability, and the importance of mutual aid within the disability community.

“At the heart of disability justice is the idea of mutual aid, which means building a capacity for care that isn’t otherwise available.” - Carmen Papalia

Full episode details: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/series/the-power-of-disability/carmen-papalia.html

Read the transcript: https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/transcripts/carmen-papalia.html

ABOUT THE SERIES
The Power of Disability is a series of Below the Radar. Host Al Etmanski brings us enlightening conversations, featuring guests with disabilities who have been influential in arts, activism, science, and more. This series is a continuation of the work Al has shared in the book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World, which reveals that people with disabilities are the invisible force that has shaped history.

Resources:
— Carmen Papalia’s website: https://carmenpapalia.com/
— Vocal Eye: http://www.vocaleye.ca/
— Open Access by Carmen Papalia: https://carmenpapalia.com/2015/08/21/open-access/
— “An Accessibility Manifesto for the Arts” - Canadian Art: https://canadianart.ca/essays/access-revived/
— White Cane Amplified by Carmen Papalia: https://carmenpapalia.com/2015/03/01/white-cane-amplified/
— Mobility Device by Carmen Papalia: https://carmenpapalia.com/2013/06/01/mobility-device/
— Sins Invalid: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/
— Skin, Tooth, and Bone: The Basis of Movement is Our People, a Disability Justice primer by Sins Invalid: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/disability-justice-primer
— Review of Skin, Tooth, and Bone: The Basis of Movement is Our People: https://disabilityarts.online/magazine/opinion/sins-invalid-skin-tooth-bone-basis-movement-people-disability-justice-primer/
— Sins Invalid access suggestions for mobilizations: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/blog/access-suggestions-for-mobilizations
— Sins Invalid access suggestions for public events: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/blog/access-suggestions-for-a-public-event
— Disability Filibuster for Bill C-7: https://disabilityfilibuster.ca/

Bio:
Carmen Papalia is a social practice artist who makes participatory projects on the topic of access as it relates to public space, art institutions and visual culture. His work has been featured as part of exhibitions and engagements at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, National Art Gallery, Banff Centre, Vancouver Art Gallery, Gallery Gachet and the Tate Liverpool.

Carmen has received many awards for his work including the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary and the Wynn Newhouse Award. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University, Vancouver and a Master of Fine Arts from Portland State University.

Cite this episode:
Chicago Style

Etmanski, Al. “The Power of Disability Part 3 — with Carmen Papalia” Below the Radar, SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement. Podcast audio, May 6, 2021. https://www.sfu.ca/vancity-office-community-engagement/below-the-radar-podcast/series/the-power-of-disability/carmen-papalia.html