Rachel Monosov
Vox Populi, 2018

Rachel Monosov made Vox Populi in Zimbabwe during the contested 2018 presidential election, the first following the resignation of long-time president Robert Mugabe. Surrounded by hope, disillusionment, and fear, Monosov bore witness to a country whose people participated in a democratic election, many for the first time, only to be robbed of its result by Zanu PF, the same political party who had oppressed the country under Mugabe’s rule for decades prior.

Monosov installed a billboard in the middle of the rural landscape 20-minutes outside of Harare, declaring the Latin phrase “vox populi” (the voice of the people), and printed swag with the same slogan which was freely distributed to both the local people and visitors from the city. With only goats and a few small homes in viewing distance, the “voice of the people” referenced by Monosov was effectively heard by only a very few.

As part of her research into the terminology of these words, the work questions what democracy is today.

Vox Populi, 2018

Vox Populi hand screen printed T-shirts offered as give aways during the opening of CTG-R: Zimbabwe, 2018 at CTG Harare

Zimbabwean friend picks up and wears the free swag

As evening progresses, most visitors have changed into the new Vox Populi tee shirts

As evening progresses, most visitors have changed into the new Vox Populi tee shirts

Our staff and volunteers wearing the Vox Populi swag

Like any good political gathering, there were speeches!

Vox Populi, 2018, Installation of We Are Almost There, Tarble Arts Center, Eastern Illinois University, 2019