When the Accessibility Conveyor Belt Jams

Finnegan Shannon’s installation, "There's no me without you," at Pioneer Works explores the vulnerability of systems and the repercussions of their failure, particularly for individuals with disabilities. The piece takes the form of a 12-foot-long square conveyor belt, situated in a maroon carpeted room, which carries and showcases objects for visitors to engage with. These objects include plush chairs, open spaces, masks, accessible text, hand sanitizer, DIY air purifiers, and descriptive audio.

Three artists will participate in the exhibition. During the first month, Ariana Martinez displays small, tactile objects on the moving belt for visitors to pick up and interact with. These objects range from ceramic strips to masses of rope, all designed to provide a delightful tactile experience. However, during a visit to the exhibition, the conveyor belt was not operational, which contradicted the intended accessibility of the artwork.

Staff members attempted to turn on the machine, but when they discovered it was stuck, they left without fixing the issue.

The stationary belt served as a frustrating representation of institutions and the broader societal indifference towards accessibility requirements. Encouraged by curious visitors, I attempted to manually stimulate the belt, and to my surprise, it began moving. Although unintentional, Shannon’s vision was made clear: we are all interconnected, and creative solutions are inherently tied to disability, making this a compelling subject for artistic expression.

The exhibition's departure from initial expectations, much like disability itself, provided a fresh perspective on the world, emphasizing our collective responsibility towards those who inhabit it.

"There's no me without you" is currently on display at Pioneer Works (159 Pioneer Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn) until December 20. The exhibition was curated by Pioneer Works.