Artist have always challenged and provoked thought surrounding social issues throughout history. But in the last decade, coupled with the increase in mass activism, socially engaged art has risen. Creative Time’s new exhibition, Living as Form, surveys this type of art from the past 20 years. For three weeks starting on September 23rd the show will take over Essex Street Market along with four satellite locations in the Lower East Side. Over 100 artists and projects have been brought together from around the world by 25 curators ranging from theater to activism, and urban planing to visual art. One ongoing event, Time/Food explores the idea of time being a currency. A temporary restaurant will offer daily lunches prepared by artists like Lawrence Weiner and Liam Gillick. The only way you can pay for the food will be time spent helping Time/Bank, “an international community of more than 1500 artists, curators, writers and others in the field of art.” Living as Form will be on view till October 16.