Dichotomy of Compassion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Artstillery Presents Dichotomy of Compassion: A New Immersive Multimedia Installation Exploring the Fractures of the American Dream
DALLAS, Texas (May 2026) — Artstillery, an experimental performance nonprofit known for its immersive, community-driven work, announces its newest multimedia installation, Dichotomy of Compassion, presented at Artstillery’s space “723 Open Space” at 723 Fort Worth Avenue, Dallas.
This powerful, interdisciplinary experience confronts the fractured promises of American democracy through a fusion of visual art, soundscape, community narratives, and audience participation, the installation unfolds as a living archive of human experience.
Inspired by the enduring promise of the American Dream, and its foundational vision of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people”, Dichotomy of Compassion confronts a pressing and uncomfortable question: What happens when that vision fractures?
At its core, the work examines how systems of inequality and inherited prejudice distort our ability to recognize ourselves in one another. In a culture shaped by fear of the “other,” compassion becomes conditional. Safety, real or perceived, often demands a quiet surrender of shared humanity. And in that surrender, individuals and communities alike can become complicit in systems that perpetuate harm.
Drawing on the philosophical tension between self-preservation and collective responsibility, Dichotomy of Compassion reflects what philosopher Hannah Arendt observed: that the greatest dangers arise not always from overt malice, but from ordinary people accepting harmful systems as necessary or inevitable. This installation asks audiences to confront where they stand within that continuum.
The physical environment embodies this tension through a dialectical structure. On one side, a treehouse evokes childhood, family, and sanctuary, a space of innocence and belonging. On the other, that same home is reimagined atop a rocket, suggesting imminent displacement, militarization, and the forces of industrialization that propel movement, often without consent. Together, these mirrored environments hold both comfort and rupture, stability and threat.
Rather than offering solutions, Dichotomy of Compassion creates a space for reflection, dialogue, and accountability. Through guided prompts and experiential design, audiences are encouraged to confront internalized biases, question inherited perspectives, and consider their role within a shared societal landscape.
Supported by: Moody Fund For the Arts, The Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and the Texas Commission on the Arts.
Event Information
Dichotomy of Compassion Artstillery’s “723 Open Space” 723 Fort Worth Avenue Dallas, Texas
Admission:
Free and open to the public
Run Dates: June 19 – July 11, 2026 (4 consecutive weekends)
Public Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Across the four-week run, Dichotomy of Compassion will feature a series of curated evenings, including community conversations. Select evenings throughout the run will feature invited speakers and special guests, creating space for deeper dialogue and reflection in response to the work. Additional speakers and guest details will be announced soon via our website and social media platforms.
Lead Artstillery Artists:
Goran Maric (Nasher Sculpture Artist Recipient), Paris Brown (Documentary Film Maker), Johnny Rutledge (Multimedia Creative Director), Laila Kharrat (Performance Artist), Mike Williamson (Technical Direction & Robotics), Meagan Harris (logo design/social media)
Guest Speaker Series to accompany evenings of Dichotomy of Compassion:
June 20th: Sandra Esther Avalos & Shpendim Nadzaku
June 19th: Malaly Pikar Volpi
June 26th: Greg Metz
July 3rd: Flaka Martinez & Ana Roeschley
July 4th: Vicki Meek & Ana Roeschley
July 10th: Christina DaSilva
July 11th: Azael Alvarez
*additional speakers coming soon and will be shared on social media
Special Private Event: Artstillery 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Saturday, June 27, 2026 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
This celebratory evening will include food and beverages alongside the immersive installation experience of Dichotomy of Compassion.
Members of the press are warmly invited to attend. RSVP by sending Ilknur Ozgur an email at [email protected].
Invitation attached.
About Artstillery Artstillery is a multidisciplinary arts and social justice organization that uplifts underrepresented voices by working alongside community members to shape their narratives into original immersive productions. Through a process of deep community engagement, Artstillery gathers real narratives and transforms them into powerful artistic experiences that blend performance, visual art, sound, and installation. The organization creates work that dissolves the boundary between audience and performer, inviting participants into spaces of empathy, reflection, and social engagement.
Contact
Ilknür Nilufer Ozgür | Executive
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3650122-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3650122-2
