The University of Kentucky’s Gatton Student Center hosts many artists and displays of art shows—among them was Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova, in which they presented their final public presentation of their viral artistic creation, entitled “Unlearn Fear + Hate.” Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova are both social activists and Transylvania University professors. They use their artwork to present ideas to the public and advocate for relevant social issues.

“Unlearn Fear + Hate” aims to promote public dialogue and civic engagement in our local communities and surrounding states and countries. Rather than using a traditional artistic expression, both Kurt and Kremena created an

interactive display of halos with the words “unlearn fear and hate” on them and scattered them all throughout Central Kentucky. This caught the communities’ eyes, and eventually, Kurt and Kremena began to see multiple pictures of their interactive work on social media. With an increase in popularity with their work they decided to expand their displays into seven different languages, like Spanish, Arabic, etc. Their goal was to unite the community across language barriers.

Slowly but surely, the “Unlearn Fear and Hate” displays gained much popularity. Now that the area of Kentucky is too small for their work, Ghode and Todorova have expanded to other states and countries; their artwork can not only be found in Kentucky but in all 27 states and five other countries.

This artwork activates words from a poem commissioned by Frank X Walker.   

“It is the only thing we have ever gotten right.
We can’t pass the course on humanity
if we keep failing the lessons
on harmony
and until we
unlearn fear and hate.”