ABOUT THE PROJECT
Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives is a series of projects and events that elevate the narrative of immigration in America and engage art and activism in an environment that nurtures collaboration and results in meaningful action.
This project was created to have few elements that are set in stone to allow it to develop over time, together with the participating artists. The intent is to offer a platform for artists to gather, collaborate, and share work as organically as possible.
SUMMER 2020
On July 23, Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives returning artists, Emily Wexler and Shannon Yu, will participate in a special event by The Young Center. Taking the stories of immigrant children, Emily and Shannon are spending the month of July creating a new, collaborative work to elevate these children’s stories to premiere at the event.
Participating Artists:
Emily Wexler (America), Shannon Yu (Taiwan)
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FALL 2019
This fall, we produced the second iteration of Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives in partnership with Prospect Park Alliance. Throughout October and November, immigrant artists, children of immigrants, and artists closely connected to the immigrant community collaborated to create site-specific performance and visual art in Prospect Park that was presented at a culminating event on Saturday, November 16, 2019.
The event began with a series of site-specific, collaborative works performed at various destinations starting at the Prospect Park Boathouse and ending at Lefferts Historic House. The evening culminated with a campfire chat with the artists - and s'mores!
Participating Artists:
Chanel Blanchett (America), Cinthia Chen (Taiwan), Chia Ying Kao (Taiwan), Sifiso Mabena (Zimbabwe), Myra M. McPhee (Bahamas), Emily Wexler (America), Shannon Yu (Taiwan)
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PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
Photos by Trigger Jones & Stephanie Campo
A Look into the project
Chia Ying Kao, a collaborator and performer in both iterations of Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives, was interviewed by BRIC TV about her career as an immigrant artist in NYC, and in large part about her experience participating and collaborating in this project. Check out the video below for a look into the project:
Spring 2019
Round one of Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives culminated May 2019. The nine participating artists developed collaborative multi-disciplinary works within the theme of elevating immigrant narratives. Each of the artists are either immigrant artists, children of immigrants, or closely connected to the immigrant community. Works featured photo, video, dance, music, and theater.
Participating Artists:
江峰 Jiang Feng (Taiwan), Chia Ying Kao (Taiwan), Sandra Kluge (Germany), Treya Lam (Taiwan/America), Sifiso Mabena (Zimbabwe), Myra M. McPhee (Bahamas), Cindy Trinh (America), Emily Wexler (America), Rourou Ye (China)
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PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
Photos by Stephanie Campo (@stephcjay26)
funding
Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives (spring 2019) was sponsored, in part, by the Meow Wolf DIY Fund.
Artists Elevating Immigrant Narratives (spring 2019) was sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).