Concerned about the erosion of social ties by technology and political polarization, Laura Shill conceived of an experiential work that facilitates conversation and fosters empathy. Including Other in the Self brings together two people at a time to ask and, in turn, answer a set of thirty-six questions that a group of psychologists wrote and organized in the1990s with the goal of creating a sense of closeness between the two participants. The New York Times popularized the questions in a 2015 article titled, “The 36 Questions That Lead to Love.” Here, Shill employs the questions to encourage dialogue, openness, vulnerability, and, subsequently, understanding with the hope that participants will seek opportunities to connect with others outside of the museum, thus improving our collective civic health.
Here’s what you need to do to sign up to participate in Including Other in the Self with a stranger:
- Select the following date to participate: February 12th.
- Select one of the following times on those dates: 1 PM, 3 PM, or 5 PM.
- Type your name into the blank field next to the type of ticket you’d like to purchase.
- Look for an email from us that will confirm your sign-up and include your ticket to the museum.
- Show up at the museum on the date and at the time that you signed up for, which will be written on your ticket.
- When you check-in at the museum, let our visitor services associates know that you’ve signed up to participate in Including Other in the Self.
- As soon as you arrive, you’ll be directed to check in with the gallery attendant stationed in the Whole Room (the lower level gallery).
FAQS
How long does this take? This work takes about an hour to experience.
How does it work? The gallery attendant stationed at the entrance to the gallery will provide you with instructions for participation and the questions.
What precautions are you taking to keep participants safe from COVID-19? We are limiting entrance to the gallery to two people every two hours, and participants are required to wear masks. We disinfect the seats in the gallery following each activation. We wear gloves when putting together the packets of instructions and questions, and the packets are single-use. Participants can recycle their packet once they’ve completed the work or take it home.
Please plan to begin Including Other in the Self soon after you check-in and to spend about an hour participating in the work. You will be free to visit the rest of the exhibition once you and your partner have completed Including Other in the Self. Please note that the MCA Cafe & Bar is open Tuesday–Friday from NOON–5PM and Saturday AND Sunday from 10AM-5PM.
Members, please make sure to sign in at the top of the screen to receive your member discount. Member discounts will be reflected in the cart. If you are having difficulties with the member discount, please email membership@mcadenver.org or call 303-298-7554 Monday–Friday 9AM–5PM.
Interested in becoming a member so you can attend for free? Click here to learn more.
Healthcare workers, SNAP beneficiaries, reciprocal museum members, and museum professionals (or other discount types) can reserve their free tickets by emailing ticketing@mcadenver.org or calling 303-298-7554 Monday–Friday 9AM–5PM.
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