FREE ENTRY / Mindport Exhibits - Dream House: Dwelling in Fantasy

Dream House is a multi-genre exhibit that talks about the housing crisis in our region. Permanent, secure and affordable housing is out of reach for many. As real estate and rent increases outpace wage growth, many find themselves in precarious living situations. People are faced with incredibly difficult decisions as they struggle to prioritize housing alongside other basic needs. Our landscape continues to be developed with buildings, and yet we have many who cannot reliably sleep or live in an indoor space. The archetype of home and belonging has become an unattainable fantasy, as people struggle to become or remain rooted in their communities. The contemporary reality of severe weather pattern changes further exacerbates inequities. Flooding, erosion and drought continue to disproportionately affect the already marginalized: migrants/day laborers, service/hospitality workers, senior citizens, low-income people and those struggling with mental illness. Visible homelessness is rapidly increasing, indicating a corresponding rise in the number of non-visibly unhoused people. The heavy imbalance between housing supply and demand creates an environment rife with the potential for exploitative and predatory practices to people who don’t own property. This exhibit asks each of us to consider our own relationship to shelter and security. What happens to the human psyche when the material realities of modern living deny people the chance to become established in a physical place? What role does the history of colonialism and displacement play in this crisis? Who builds our houses, and can those laborers find dwellings? What toll is taken when daily living activities can’t be conducted with the dignity of a private interior space? What can the securely housed in our community do to advocate for those who are going without basic human needs? Who has the right to live in comfort and safety, and who doesn’t? It also provides a place to talk about the many intersectional factors that play a role in determining who can have shelter: Gender, Labor, Citizenship, Safety, Identity, Health, Family, Climate Change and Generational Wealth.