Jersey City Art Center That Brought You ‘Naked Trump’ Has New Political Exhibits

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City-based Mana Contemporary – the controversy-courting arts center that helped to bring the “Naked Trump” statue to Hudson County last year – wants you to come “occupy” them from 1 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

That’s when the arts center will host their fall open house event, which will include 12, never-before-seen exhibitions, two of which, “OCCUPY MANA: Artists Need to Create on the Same Scale That Society Has the Capacity to Destroy (Year 1)” and “OCCUPY MANA: Friends in Solidarity (Year 1),” were curated by Phong Bui of The Brooklyn Rail.

Each of the exhibits takes a look at current events including race relations, climate change and foreign policy. But when viewed holistically, the show is meant as a “collective protest against the Trump administration’s dangerous policies and rhetoric,” according to a news release from Mana Contemporary.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Brooklyn Rail’s Rail Curatorial Projects to provide a platform for artists to protest today’s incendiary and insensitive political rhetoric,” Mana Contemporary Founder and President Eugene Lemay said. “Mana is first and foremost a safe space for independent thought and we will continue to hold this administration accountable and communicate our values through a wide range of artistic mediums.”

• See related article: (He’s Back) ‘Naked Trump’ Statue Perches On New Jersey Rooftop

During the open house, Juxtapoz Magazine, in partnership with the nonprofit Waves for Water, will auction off surf boards designed by local artists to raise funds for hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For those needing transportation across the Hudson River on Oct. 15, complimentary shuttle service to Mana will depart every half hour from Milk Studios (450 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011) from 12:30 to 7 p.m. Returning shuttles from Mana will run every half hour from 2 to 8:30 p.m., according to the art center.

For more information about the event, click here.

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