Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides?

Kenneth Reams

You are invited to a mini-conference to celebrate the opening of Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides?, an exhibition of art by Kenneth Reams and Isabelle Reams.

The exhibition, titled Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides?, features works on paper, canvas and sculptures by Kenneth Reams and Isabelle Reams. Mr. Reams was on death row for over 25 years. While he and his legal team pursued a federal habeas petition to overturn his conviction, Mr. Reams turned to art as one way to tell his story and the story of mass incarceration in America.

The exhibit will open with a conference featuring conversations with system-impacted artists including Kristina Bivona (information here), Nhut Vo (information here), and Jared Owens (information here); a musical performance by Kenyatta Hughes (more information here); and a panel of legal experts speaking about parole and clemency. The conference will begin at 9:30am at Columbia Law School (435 W 116th St, New York, NY 10027) in room JG 102 B. At 1:00pm, conference attendees will walk to the Heyman Center, immediately behind the Law School, to view the exhibition.

The exhibit and conference are supported by the SOF/Heyman Center, The Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights, and the Columbia Center for Contemporary Critical Thought (CCCCT). Guests must register prior to the conference.

Schedule

Breakfast - 9:15am

George Kendall speaks about Kenny’s case - 9:45am

LAW PANEL ON PAROLE AND CLEMENCY - 10AM

Organized by Jeffrey T. Fastow LAW'26
Moderated by Priyanka Radhakrishnan LAW'24
In conversation with Melissa Tanis, Policy & Communications Manager, Center for Justice, Columbia School of Social Work; Member and Consultant for the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign (RAPP)

Justice involved artists - 11am

Moderated by Charles Moore

Artists:

Kristina Bivona
Nhut Vo (more here)
Jared Owens

Music and Incarcerated Musicians - 12pm

Ivan Calaff (more here)
Kenyatta Hughes (more here and here)

Lunch and Exhibit Viewing at the SOF Heyman Center - 1pm