When I was in New York City two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet with Sydnie Mosely and talk about her anti-street harassment initiative The Window Sex Project. She has a big event coming up on November 12 and so I thought this was the perfect time to interview her so you all can learn about her creative project and how to get involved.
Stop Street Harassment (SSH): Hi Sydnie! To start, can you please share a little bit about who you are before we talk about the Window Sex Project?
Sydnie L. Mosley (SLM): Sure. I’m a New York City-based dancer, choreographer and teaching artist. I’m currently an Alumnae Fellow with the Barnard Center for Research on Women, a position that allows me to deepen my artistic work with the resources of the academy. I present my choreography with my Harlem-based company Sydnie L. Mosley Dances with works that seek to actively engage the audience’s physical and emotional senses with dance performance in addition to involving audiences in the artistic process. I earned an MFA in Dance with an emphasis on Choreography from the University of Iowa and a BA in Dance and Africana Studies from Barnard College.
SSH: Thank you. What is the Window Sex Project all about?
SLM: The Window Sex Project is a dance performance which addresses and tackles the every day practice in which women are “window shopped,” that is forced to bear unsolicited harassment from men while walking on the street. The Window Sex Project gives voice to these concerns and restores agency to women by celebrating their bodies in a public artwork informed by members of the Harlem community, for the Harlem community.
The work places women of varying races and body types on pedestals in an art gallery setting, forcing audiences to contend with the objectification of the female body in a contemporary society. The dance investigates how a woman’s sexuality is perceived based on these physical attributes. It aims to equally celebrate all the bodies which are unique, and do not fit into generic models of womanhood.
This work is grounded in personal experiences, feminist theory, and a collective need to take action. Much of the movement content was generated from women who participated in free workshops over the summer, who were asked to create movement expressions of their harassment experiences. This aspect makes this activist project unique. The Window Sex Project specifically uses bodies, the site of harassment, as the mode of response and activism.
The sound score orchestrated by Ebonie Smith includes newly composed instrumental and/or vocal selections, energetic dance beats, a collection of “hollas” heard on the street, and also the voices and bodies of the dancers. Visual media aspects of the work include projected video of Harlem women who participated in community workshops, as well as the work of some visual artists in Harlem. The show also integrates excerpts of “Can I Get A Smile?” a one woman theater show written & performed by Leah King.
SSH: I love the integration of body, dance, and activism. What inspired your project?
SLM: I was inspired by a simultaneous creative want to make a dance about a woman’s body & sexuality, and my own daily experiences with street harassment and a need to act out against them. [In this video, she expands more on her inspiration and why she decided to address street harassment]
SSH: What kind of response are you getting to your work?
SLM: Harlem artists, businesses, organizations and people in general have been extremely receptive and supportive of this work. People have been and continue to be involved with the project in a myriad of ways. Community members have participated in workshops this past summer which took place at Grosvenor House YMCA, Barnard College at Columbia University and the Harlem School for the Arts.
Businesses such as The Body Shop in Harlem, Land Yoga and The Best Yet Market made generous donations in food & give away items to our participants. Local artists & teachers graciously volunteered their time to co-facilitate workshops.
Women continue to be involved by being a part of our online video series in which we ask them to share their story. Incredible artists including dancers, painters, and musicians have graciously shared their talent, time and energy to bring this work to fruition.
Lastly, the Barnard Center for Research on Women has become a major supporter of the work providing a home base for continued research & planning to produce a published curriculum for workshops, and dance performances.
SSH: That’s great to hear. And lastly, how can people get involved with The Window Sex Project?
SLM: There are several ways:
* Submit an online video link to you sharing your story like these.
*Submit a guest blog to sydnielmosleydances@gmail.com with the subject “Guest Blog” about your street harassment or related experiences to be posted on the website.
*Become a producer of our performance project by making a tax-deductible donation in ANY amount, and encouraging others to do the same.
*Plan to lead a community workshop in your own neighborhood in 2012. Email sydnielmosleydances@gmail.com with your interest.
*Attend a Work In Process showing and give your feed back as we develop the choreography. Help us make sure the dance speaks to you and your concerns.
If you’re in NYC on November 12: You are invited to see the first draft of the full length dance on Saturday, November 12 at 5 p.m. HOORAY! The showing will take place at Land Yoga located at 2116 Frederick Douglas Boulevard (between 114th & 115th Streets). The performance will be followed by an audience feedback session. Please attend & contribute your constructive criticism. This is a community work & I value each of your opinions.
*Spread the word! Follow @sydmosley & @SLMDances. Be friends with http://www.facebook.com/sydnielmosleydances. Use the hashtags #windowsexproject & #streetharassment.
SSH: Thank you!
Sydnie recently spoke about her work on a panel at Activism & the Academy: Celebrating 40 Years of Feminist Scholarship & Action, a conference in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Barnard Center for Research on Women.
Expanding Feminism: Collaborations for Social Justice from BCRW Videos on Vimeo.
