We live between fences. We may hardly notice them, but they are dominant features in our lives and in our history. Built of hedge, concrete, wood and metal, the fence skirts our properties and is central to the American landscape. We use them to enclose our houses and neighborhoods. They are decorative structures that are as much part of the landscape as trees and flowers. Industry and agriculture without fences would be difficult to imagine. Private ownership of land would be an abstract concept.

But fences are more than functional objects. They are powerful symbols. The way we define ourselves as individuals and as a nation becomes concrete in how we build fences.

Through an examination of boundaries, place, and space, Between Fences will explore how neighbors and nations divide, protect, offend, and defend through the boundaries they build.

This exhibit runs from April 25, 2009 - June 7, 2009

Have you ever played the dozens? In the game, two competitors take turns improvising comedic insults and trash talk, cracking jokes about each other until one of them has no comeback. And although this form of play is mostly good natured, it has been known to start as many fist fights as fits of laughter.  Which begs the question, is one person's wound another's guffaw?

Aundre M. Herron of racewire.org writes: "Put to its highest and best use, comedy has the power to transform by pushing us to the edge of our comfort zones and beyond. It helps us to face ourselves squarely-our fears, our failings, our prejudices and lapses of character, decency, and common sense. "

American comedians have a long history of pushing boundaries, using edgy humor to fight the status quo and promote progressive issues.  Pioneer comedian Moms Mabley challenged conventional ideas of race and gender and, before it was canceled in 1969, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was one of the most influential and controversial American television shows of its time. The show paid homage to the growing counter-culture movements springing up around the country and also derided the Vietnam War.