A woman dressed as a 1960s secretary sits in front of a rare vintage typewriter and asks people to engage in something even more rare – to share their unedited political opinions with a stranger. It’s all part of the “I Wish to Say” performance art project created by Sheryl Oring.
Oring wrote a new book, “Activating Democracy: The 'I Wish to Say' Project” (Intellect/2016), based on her twelve-year-running performance piece. She's giving a talk at the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston Salem on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium.
Host Frank Stasio speaks with Sheryl Oring about her work, her hopes for civil engagement, and how striking up a face-to-face conversation with a stranger continues to surprise her twelve years later.