In the United States, a rape is reported every two minutes, totaling 720 victims per day. Cherokee artist Luzene Hill will create an installation at UNC Asheville to help visualize these statistics and raise awareness of sexual violence against women. "Human Rites… the body and blood" will be on view October 14-November 14 in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Gallery. Our VOICE, a non-profit crisis intervention agency which serves victims of sexual violence in Buncombe County, is the community partner for this exhibit. The exhibition and all related events are free and open to the public.

"Each day 720 dried rose petals will be added to a honeysuckle basket in the center of the gallery," Hill said. "Between October 14 and November 14, a total of 24,480 petals will have spilled over that basket. Each concave petal -- fragile and the color of blood -- represents a woman who has been violated."

In addition, a bell will ring every two minutes in the gallery to remind patrons that a rape is reported every two minutes in the United States.

A number of free community events are planned coincide with the installation. These include:

-- The public installation process will take place October 5-9 in the gallery. Please call ahead to ensure that the gallery is open and that Hill is working. For more information, call 828/251-6991.

-- A reception with the artist will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, in the gallery.

-- Hill will give a gallery talk at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the gallery.

Hill is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She has held solo installations at Western Carolina University, Emory University, North Georgia College and State University, and the Sandler Hudson Gallery in Atlanta. Her works are held in the corporate collections of the Coosawattee Foundation, Harrah's Inc. and Larson Juhl Inc., among others.

This project is sponsored in part by Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR), Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Western Carolina University.

UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Gallery is located on the lower level of the Union. The Gallery is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 828/251-6991.