ANONYMOUS WAS THE DATA

Led by 2022 Artist-in Residence Chanika Svetvilas, “Anonymous was the Data” looks at mental health and healthcare needs of Asian American Pacific Islanders. It does this through a voluntary survey of AAPI who acknowledge within themselves a mental health difference. The survey questions explore the relationship between mental health difference and healthcare access. Suicide is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans ages 15-24 and Asian American women ages 64+. Racist and xenophobic violence and discrimination can have traumatic impact from generation to generation. Systemic barriers can include lack of access to health insurance and money for co-pays, lack of transportation, and lack of healthcare providers that understand their experience. Each data set collected from the survey will be mapped onto a physical characteristic such as a bubble or twist, which will then, using a 3D printer, be digitized to print as distorted prescription bottles. Collectively, these pieces will fit together as a puzzle and will be available for participants to assemble.

The data collected is individualized and handled with care and resources of support instead of generic clinical statistics. Svetvilas is working with an advisory committee and research assistants at the Ida B. Wells Lab. The project will culminate with an interactive installation at the Lewis Center for the Arts in September 2023 and will include a workshop, artist talk, and panel discussion.

You can follow this project on Instagram and its blog!

CO-SPONSORS

The Center for Health and Wellbeing

The Council on Science and Technology

The Department of Asian American Studies

The Effron Center for the Study of America

The Humanities Council

The Ida B Wells JUST Data Lab

The Keller Center

The Lewis Center for the Arts

The Office of Disability Services

The Asian American with Disabilities Initiative