in complete world: What is Citizenship Today? Fri, Oct 14, 2016, 6:30–8:30 pm

in complete world: What is Citizenship Today?

Fri, Oct 14, 2016
6:30–8:30 pm

Stills of interview subjects looking to the sky. Captured from a film documentary by Shelly Silver
Stills of interview subjects looking to the sky. Captured from a film documentary by Shelly Silver

Stills from in complete world, 2008. Written, directed, and edited by Shelly Silver (53 minutes). Images courtesy Shelly Silver

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The Susan and John Hess Family Theater is equipped with an induction loop and infrared assistive listening system. Accessible seating is available.

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Floor Three, Susan and John Hess Family Theater

This screening of Shelly Silver’s documentary in complete world (2008, 53 mins) is followed by an open discussion with the artist and the filmmaker and activist Louis Massiah on the meanings of citizenship in the twenty-first century and in the current election cycle.

in complete world
is a feature-length documentary made up of street interviews done throughout NYC. Mixing political questions (Are we responsible for the government we get?) with more broadly existential ones (Do you feel you have control over your life?), the film centers on the tension between individual and collective responsibility.

The film can be seen as a user's manual for citizenship in the twenty-first century, as well as a glimpse into the opinions and self-perceptions of a diverse group of Americans. It is a testament to the people of NYC in this new millennium, who freely offer up thoughtful, provocative and at times tender revelations to a complete stranger, just because she asked.

Tickets are required ($10 adults; $8 members, students and seniors).

On the Hour

A 30-second online art project:
Maya Man, A Realistic Day In My Life Living In New York City

Learn more about this project

Learn more at whitney.org/artport

On the Hour projects can contain motion and sound. To respect your accessibility settings autoplay is disabled.