Enough: Indira Johnson and Voices from Around the World
This collaborative, interactive project was showcased in the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Robert B. and Beatrice C. Mayer Education Center August 30 through November 1, 2003. Johnson’s organizing concept was: What do we want, what we need, and how much is enough? What do we want for ourselves, our families, our communities? What do we need to be happy, fulfilled, and content? At the core of this project is the realization that no matter who we are we all want the same things, for ourselves, our families, our communities, and the world.
The work featured voices from individuals Johnson had worked with in MCA education outreach programs, including high school students at Mather High School, MCA’s Teen Apprentices; and a network of associates from around the world, including women from Marketplace: Handwork of India, whose mission is to provide employment opportunities for women in low-income communities in Mumbai, India. What do we truly want? What is that essence which will bring us happiness or satisfaction? The answers became “I want to continue to learn.” “I want peace and freedom for myself and the world.” “I want a life filled with joy and purpose for myself and everyone I hold dear.” The answers were sometimes poignant, sometimes strident, yet they all reinforced the idea that at the core level, all of us want the same thing -peace, love, education, good health, to feel safe, a clean environment, an end to hunger, justice… Lynne Warren, curator at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art said about the project “What is Enough? This question strikes a deep chord in me as I think it does with many other people. We cannot help but respond to the enough statements…each of us has a story to tell and that is the simple and beautiful premise of Indira’s project: we participate in it whether or not we formally set down our responses. What is it I need, what is it I want and how do I understand the implications of my needs and wants, for myself and others?” |
Who Makes Peace?

There are vast socioeconomic, cultural, racial and age differences between the participants in the ‘Enough’ project. While each of us articulates our wants in different ways it is apparent that no matter who we are no matter where we stand on issues that supposedly divide us in an intractable manner we all want the same things, for ourselves, our families, our communities and the world.
“I want to be able to watch the news without seeing killing and bombs everywhere” said one high school student.
“I want to be a light, to make a difference, see humor and not attempt to be a judge” said an elderly gentleman.
"I want to help create a global economy in which nothing and no one is wasted” said a young mother.
If we believe in the interconnectedness of all life then it pre supposes that none of us can exist in a space that is isolated and without meaning. Obviously there exists a greater connection than the common humanity that unites us.
“I want to be able to watch the news without seeing killing and bombs everywhere” said one high school student.
“I want to be a light, to make a difference, see humor and not attempt to be a judge” said an elderly gentleman.
"I want to help create a global economy in which nothing and no one is wasted” said a young mother.
If we believe in the interconnectedness of all life then it pre supposes that none of us can exist in a space that is isolated and without meaning. Obviously there exists a greater connection than the common humanity that unites us.