Poems Inspired by the Paintings of Carlos Vega

Fourth Graders Contemplate Heroes at the Jack Shainman Gllery

Powerful women

Stuck in a frame

Colorful strokes and drips of paint

Tells a story

-Nico

 

Women with all different stories

from all different times and places

Colors, texture, movement, objects

and setting and all different faces

-Ziva

 

Joan of Arc

By Cydney Klass

 

Heard a voice from God she claimed,

And she fought untrained,

Joan of Arc.

Fought at nineteen

And went on to succeed,

Joan of Arc.             

She forced the English to retreat,

It was quite a defeat.

Joan of Arc.

She lead the troupe,

It was a large group!

Joan of Arc.  

She fought in the Hundred Years’ War,

But she might have done more,

Died at nineteen

Maybe she fulfilled her dream.

Joan of Arc.

Modern clothes

Why I don’t know

Joan of Arc.

The blood looks like fire

Because it went higher,

Joan of Arc.

She was a saint

Her image was preserved in paint.

Joan of Arc

Captured and killed,

Her life was not filled

Joan of Arc.

Long dark hair

Blew through the air,

Purple shirt, white jeans,

Black and navy blue background

Joan of Arc.

Died at nineteen

Maybe she fulfilled her dream.

Joan of Arc.

Patterns everywhere.

Where were they not?

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc barefoot in the painting on the wall

The painting did not fall.

Joan of Arc

So young

Maybe or maybe not having fun.

Joan of Arc

Hands placed at her back

Not moving

Only staying.

Joan of Arc

Two first drafts,

And one big final one

Joan of Arc.

Hair different here

Hair different there

Joan of Arc.

Different designs and patterns

So cool.

Joan of Arc.

No drips

Not that much of a background

It was dark and empty

Joan of Arc.


The One

Dante Tejerina

 

Lines and stripes Stripes and lines

Carlos Vega keeps drawing

The one that is the saint of the blind

Lights a bright light to show the way

The one who looks like a normal teenager

Heads to Orleans where she will soon face a brutal decay

Stripes and lines Lines and stripes

Carlos Vega keeps sketching

The one who loses the loved one

Shows all her pain

The one in the bright red dress

Will turn into a crimson mess

Stripes and lines Lines and stripes

Carlos Vega keeps painting

The one with the pink backpack

She shows her strength to keep fighting

The one who is so smart

Will be questioned for the Christian art

The one who pushes the four wheel cart

Is showing her struggle to keep thriving

Unlike Carlos Vega she keeps working

Lines and Stripes Stripes and Lines

Carlos Vega keeps going

 


FIERCE WOMEN

By Emilia M. Kravetz

 

She’s moving her hand and feeling the pain

She has an umbrella with flowers

Her name is Vilomah

 

She’s opening up her studio

She makes sculptures of Jesus

Her name is Luisa

 

She’s lugging her cart around

She’s a homeless in the world

Her name is Nakesha

 

She likes to take care of disabled people

She’s with a handicapped women

Her name is Berta

 

She has two sisters

She looks like she’s in pain

Her name is Hope

 

She’s a powerful New Yorker

She was born enslaved

Her name is Sojourner  

 


 

FREEDOM PAINTINGS

By Emilia M. Kravetz

 

The paintings were as still as some plants that were growing

Some paintings made me sad weeping, leaping, crying,

Other paintings made me happy laughing, running, kind,

Free trapped free trapped

Repeating like a heartbeat

Alive paintings hero paintings he paints anything possible

Small paintings big paintings

All different sizes

Flowers

Abstract

Women

Enjoyable

Inspiring

Magical

Carlos likes his art , I like it,

It’s wonderful


Nakesha Williams

By Ivy Van Blerkom

 

Stripe, stripe

And back again

To the start

So much to see

What else could it be

Curvy and straight

Stripe, stripe

And back again

To the start

More and more

What else to see?

Lines

Curvy and straight

What else to see?

Bare feet

Details, details

Dark skin

Lines

Curvy and straight

All over the place

What else to see?

Metal cart

Push past, past, and beyond

NYC

On the street

What else could she be?

An activist for illness

Has a mental illness

So much more

Helps other people

Williams College where she was

Now on the streets of NYC

Didn’t quite get it right


 

Heroes Of The World

by Julian

Hope very sad but not bad at all,

World’s greatest heroes, together, hand and hand,

 

Brush strokes all around different colors together safe and sound,

An Unfinished painting is a finished painting,

Beautiful colors beautiful personalities,

All together as one

 

Sad people, happy people

In a painting there can be more than one,

But still altogether living as one,

 

All went through violence in a period of their life,

But died as heroes,

Heroes, heroes, heroes,

So many of them on one wall all down the room and across the hall.

 

These are the heroes of the world safe and sound,

Living together, like earth’s gods,

Living as one


Alive Paintings

By June

 

A paintbrush in a hand

Painting swirls and pictures

To form a work of art

 

Expressions

Serious, strong, meaningful

An alive painting

 

Brave women

Each who stood up for herself

But maybe failed

 

Symbolic

But unfinished

An alive painting

 

Brushstrokes  

In different patterns

Forming together

 

Colors

Swirling like rainbows all around

An alive painting

 

Carlos Vega

Painting a wonder world

An alive painting

 

In motion

Feet staying in one place

Never going anywhere

 

Maybe

A spark of curiosity

Will appear


Impossible

by Lila

 

On artwork so fine a drip of paint is divine

Many different colors waiting for another watching  to see what comes next

IMPOSSIBLE

 

Many women that are hero on the wall looking at each other seeing that each drip of paint is divine

IMPOSSIBLE

 

But when I look to the ground I see all the hero’s sitting around get up heros and go walk and talk you heroes deserved more to being shot,

You have done so much to help make this a better place like being an activist or an artist in hard states

IMPOSSIBLE

Your paintings have you and your background too it’s almost like you could come out and keep going on with your heroic ways,

IMPOSSIBLE

Or even end to say….

NOT IMPOSSIBLE


All Around Paintings

By Lily Rosenthal

 

All around paintings, Paintings all around,

All the paintings clear as can be, but with brush strokes different, brush strokes different,

Which one first, which one

 

Pick and choose, pick and chose,

write and look, write and look,

Look close but do not touch,

 

Draw and study, draw and study,

More more o- my o- my,

Look at the little man with the mohawk, the man is small

Look at her hands, Nuwa’s hand is big,

In front of the rainbow wall that she created,

 

Hold the man, hold the man,

In the hoop,

 

Do not fall, do not,

Study him close, study him close,

 

Look around, look around

At all the figures in the paintings  and how they are in motion,

 

And how they are better in person,

All around paintings, all around.

 


 

Powerful Women

By Nico

 

Powerful women

Stuck in a frame

Colorful strokes and drips of paint

Tells a story

From now or then

They look in your eyes

With sad with happy

Smiles or frowns

Powerful women

They were brave.

And still are now

Just normal people like you

Who change people’s perspective

Powerful women

They stood up

And made a mark

In Carlos Vega’s heart

Powerful women

Dancing in a frame

And their minds screaming out their name.


The Stripes

By Paloma

 

Walk into the door,

All the paintings on the walls,

And so many!

 

One Paloma,

Two rooms,

And so many paintings

To choose

 

One was Malala,

A backpack,

And

A cart

A cart that’s blue, against the many colors

 

Her expression was

Mixed

A combo of happy and sad

 

The stripes all over,

The many colors,

The small brush,

Everything separate, yet together

 

Pink scarf

Like pink hair

Green pants

Pink backpack

Blue cart

 

The backpack

It shows

School

It shows what Malala did


Wandering Through Color

By Penelope Schab

 

Walking into a green glass door that leads you into a new world full of color,

wandering through paintings that come alive as soon as you look,

Fighting for what they think is right,

They look alive!

So colorful,

 

All about famous women,

All about their history,

About to burst with color,

Doing their own thing,

Their own story,

So colorful,

                                   

But still colorful,

There shape is as they are in the moment that second,

Some are about to finish the job,

Yet some are just started,

So colorful,

Their eyes reaching for something,

That you have,

Saying I want it I want it,

So colorful,

 

but still bright and colorful in their own way,

About to burst with color…

BURST! go on BURST!


Shown Paintings

By Sawyer Gersh

 

2 rooms,

White walls,

Lots of symbols,

12 had objects,

 All about women,

One huge one small,

Makes two drawings,

5 had no objects in hand,

Carlos Vega used stripes,

Little details about old life,

Most sad people in paintings,

At least one painting each side,

Made 17 hero women drawings,

Some saints some regular people,

In most paintings there were drips,

16 paintings had the color blue,

One painting looked unfinished to me,    

The women almost filled the painting,

They are as big as a Giant,

One painting starts with a h,

And ends with an e,

And op in the middle,

Did great things but,

No respect in life time


Paintings

By Selah

 

All the artwork

All the scenes

Very delightful as I seem

Paintings

 

Lots of colors

Lots of lights

Lots of things I see with my eyes

Paintings

 

So many objects

So many symbols

Too many brush strokes

Dry drips too

Paintings

 

Some unfinished

Some Done

All good

Some patterned

Some not

Paintings

 

Too many things for my eyes

Can it stop

Paintings

 

Tons of emotions

Tons of feelings

My head is too weary

I feel too dizzy

Paintings

 

Some figures static

Some in motion

Paintings


Carlos Vega: Correspondences

Shaffer Helfer

 

Today, today, today.

We went walking to the subway.

The train was bumpy, and went pop, pop, pop,

And then we got off on the second stop.

 

We went to a gallery where the ceilings were tall,

The art was big, I was scared they would fall.

Carlos Vega, the artist, did a lot of art

And I’m pretty sure he is very smart.

His topic for the show

was strong women in the know,

Yo.

 

The background of them were very pink

And none of them used ink.

He used a lot of colors in the paintings in his show.

His topic was strong women in the know.

 

And I could see some still sink

And the place did not stink

And I forgot the link.

His topic in the show was people in the know.


Observing Painting of Hypatia

By Skylar

 

Looking at the painting

Noticing the painting

Feeling the vibes of the

painting

Feeling like I’m in the

painting

Like the painting is looking

Back at me

Like the painting is

Talking to me to

 

The colors of the painting

Shine like sparkling

water

in

The sea

The colors of the painting

Are like a rainbow is

coming

The expression on her

Face is more serious

Than a soul diving

In the deep blue sea

Her fascination in math

Is like me in a way

I am interested in

Math myself

Just a bit

 


Balance On

Nuwa

Part One

By Vincent Fernandes-Vogel

Thinks a thought,

Repair was made;

Through the limestones,

through the jade.

 

Made repair,

Repair was made,

Through the limestones,

Through the jade.

 

Balance on, in the hoop,

Hoop of loop,

Loop of hoop.

 

The wall was built to keep the sides apart,

Apart will keep the sides.

 

A rainbow wall,

Up in the sky,

Up in the sky,

The rainbow wall.

 

The time has come,

Jade of shade,

Leave behind,

Jade of shade.

 

Balance On

Part Two

 

Splish and splash,

Splash and splish,

Swish, swish, swish.

 

Paint as you wish,

More no more,

No more, more.

 

Painting heroes,

More and more.

 

Saints for a start,

The rest left for last.

 

Hidden decoding,

Decoding that’s hidden.

 

Discover the secret,

Hidden the secret,

The secret is hidden.

 

Paint on,

Paint on,

 

Carlos Vega.


Hope

By Will Taschler

 

Reds, blues, pinks, whites, blacks, yellows

The woman has a candle on a bigger plate

That represents her

Hope

 

She is being dramatic, her hand is behind her head

Like a waitress

she is carrying a bigger plate

 

Why is she putting her hand behind her head?
Why is she holding the tray?

Why is she wearing a long red shirt?

 

She looks like she is from the past

But her red dress looks like a modern dress

She could be going to a party or a fancy restaurant

 

Her expression is a frown

She is looking up at the sky

Like she is feeling hopeless

 

She is barefoot

Where do you think she is going?

Possibly to an outside party so her feet could feel the soft grass

 

She wears a flower crown around her head

That has patterns of blue, green and orange

Her red dress is as long as her

 

I look at the painting

It looks unfinished

With a black background and nothing else


The Amazing Sojourner Truth

By Zara Seegars

 

The amazing Sojourner Truth

Survived Slavery. The amazing

Sojourner Truth escaped slavery

with and alive newborn child.

The amazing Sojourner Truth

said an important statement.

The amazing Sojourner Truth

Stated “Ain’t I a woman?”

The amazing Sojourner Truth

Fought for women’s right to vote

And changed the law.

The Amazing Sojourner Truth was

an abolitionist.

 


The Tales of Women

By Ziva DeMattia

 

Each person, each story

All with their own unique glory

 

ALL REPRESENTING A WOMAN’S STORY

 

They stand tall and proud

With a voice that can be loud

 

ALL REPRESENTING A WOMAN’S STORY

 

Women with all different stories

from all different times and places

Colors, texture, movement, objects

and setting and all different faces

 

ALL REPRESENTING A WOMAN’S STORY

 

A tale can be told in many different ways,

When she stands tall and lays on the wall,

Her alive on a wall is not just a phrase

With colors of all sorts and

Drips and drops and splatter and splots!

 

ALL REPRESENTING A WOMAN’S STORY

 

They are all different,

But very much the same.

Hard times and bad times, but never them to blame

 

ALL REPRESENTING A WOMAN’S STORY

 

“Here I am… AMERICA” Oral History Poems

Glazier Berman

Housework

By Cydney

 

Housework in Lithuania,

Housework in America,

 

Same old thing, same old thing,

A whole new world

Yet same old housework,

Not very new

 

Sweeping, cleaning,

Washing clothing,

Washing dishes,

moping.

 

Same old thing,

 

Washing clothes and dishes,

Wish for some new thing.

 

Hard work, alone some days

And same old thing.

 

15 years old,

A new country

 

Here for a better life.

 

Will housework change?

Same, old housework.

 


HE FIRST

Dante Tejerina

 

He first moved to Switzerland,

It felt like living in black and white

Compared to Peru this was quite a fright

Then he moved to the land of the free

His eyes dizzy from the tall buildings

The landmarks

The museums that are filled with glee

And since then this is how it came to be


Francisco

By Emilia

 

He built a company

Created a pharmacy

Not in his old country

Francisco

 

 

He traveled far away

For war to go away

To make his life his way

Francisco

 

He had two vineyards at sea

With grapes and olive trees

And he was happy in his old country

Francisco


Jacob Van Blerkom

By Ivy

Goodbye Rotterdam

 

Rotterdam was Rotten

 

Long journey

 

Off at last

 

New home?

 

Far away

 

Tired legs, Tired arms

 

Hello, Shalom

 

Hallo

 

Buildings

 

Busy Streets, Crowded

 

Loud, Dirty

 

New friends

 

New, new, new

 

Free, free, free

 

Hello New York

 

Hello new life


One Small House, One Big Family,

One Big boat

By Julian

 

One big family,

One big ship,

One small room,

Twenty days on one big boat,

With One big family,

And One small room

 

Swaying from

Side to side

Right to left,

Left to right

From Italy to

America,

Where the streets are paved with gold

 

All kinds of different people,

Different languages,

Different clothes,

Different food

And different everything

 

Giacchino Costa,

And his family

Have one small house,

one big family,

And one big life

 


Steerage

By June Binnard, inspired from Goldie Gutman’s immigration story

 

A long trip

On the ship

 

In the dark and grey

Still a long way

 

To America!

 

Goldie Gutman

 

The waves choppy

Feeling so floppy

 

Never in the light

It is quite a fright

 

To America!

 

Goldie Gutman

 

Try to go to bed

But I fill with dread

 

Meals bad

So I feel sad

 

To America!

 

Goldie Gutman

 

Finally i feel a chug

Oh I think I have a bug!

 

Oh, we are here

I am filled with fear

 

In America!


A NICE LONG TRIP

By Lila Klinenberg

 

One Baby one ship 5 siblings 5 places to sit, 1 parent watching all along to find the ending where they belong

 

The Father went first all the children with him,

 

The mother came after the family left, too lonely to stay where she knew the best.

 

Laughter cries through the air as the family sees each other from long across the seas.

 

I can hear my great grandmother’s laughter still crawling in my head but I hear joy and happiness instead.

 


Helen Lishnoff

By Lily

 

In the house and on the water down the stairs and then up again on to Ellis island,

Of the boat and through inspections

 

Two more people and….

 

In the house and on the water down the stairs and then up again on to Ellis island,

Of the boat and through inspections,

And to the tenement home at last, America !!


THE MAGIC FLYING MACHINE

By Nico Rudder, inspired by Akilah Petronella Charles Immigration story

 

The year was 2001

Beaches

Sand

Palm trees

Oh boy

 

To

 

Tall buildings

Taxis and paved cement streets

 

A magic flying machine

Took us to an unknown

Land

Unknown to us

But not forgotten

 

Has taken us from a land of beaches

To

A land of crowd

Mixed culture

And new smells

 

So many people cover the streets

Sounds of gibberish to me are the sounds of music to the others

Me and my brother standing there

With my mom crying laughing and having fun

 

Here to stay for a month or two

But no, a life time was what to expect.

 

My name is Akilah Petrinela Charles

I flew in a machine that levitated in the sky

With my younger brother

To visit my mom.

But she said that we were staying with her

I was just 16.

 


The Store

By Paloma

 

Outside then inside and then l own the store

I walk to and from the same place-even in the cold

Outside then inside and then l own the store

 

Swish

Swish and swash

Swish  and swash and swish again

Swish

 

Click

And click -clackity-clack

“Hello, good bye!’

Click

 

Click click

Click again

Clickity-clack

Click!

 


The Way To A New Life

By Penelope Schab

 

I got on the boat,

To come to America,

Was crammed into steerage,

The place was as smelly as rotten fish,

 

Was very scary,

Our mother got sick,

Me and my siblings were scared,

I was so mad we had to come:(

 

Got of the boat,

 

Passed inspection,

 

I Saw my dad,

 

And started a new life!


Huguette

By Sawyer

 

A women,

left France,

an immigrant,

Huguette as beautiful as my mom

loves Edward Vincent Moffitt

left in WW2,

a model,

a lover,

a reader,

=

All equals Huguette!

 


Angelica

By Selah

 

Coming to the USA,

22 years old,

Came in a plane,

 

Before,

Spoke Spanish,

Difficult life,

Poor,

Little money,

 

What Angie left behind,

Her stuff,

Her home,

Her  friends,

Her  pets,

Her  feeling,

Her  family.

 

What she’s excited for,

A new life,

A new home,

Going to work.


Vencheca Guido’s Immigration Story Poem

By Shaffer Helfer

 

She came to America

 

She got across with a special pass

 

And she knew where to go finally at last

 

Her husband served in the war

 

To get his family through the American door

 

It took a lot of courage to do what he did

 

He did it for his wife, he did it for his kid

 

He served ice and coal

 

to fill his dark soul

 

If they did not travel over the sea

 

I would not be born, I would not be me.

 

She traveled miles and miles

 

and she tried to smile

 

It took her very long in fact it took a while

 

She was going to break but she tried to overtake

 

She had a fear and she thought it was clear to go back to Italy

 

But that would be silly to go back to Italy

 


Freedom: My great granddad Joseph Brown

By Skylar

 

He walked walked

He talked talked

With his mind

On freedom

 

Small town in

South Carolina

He had to leave it

because he was treated badly

He left

With his mind on freedom

 

He had 5 brothers and

3 sisters

They all left the South their mind on freedom

 

He was in World War II

He saved lives

Always with his mind on freedom

 

He raised his family so they can have freedom

 

Skylar Bonsu always has  freedom on her side

 


Travel

By Vincent Fernandes-Vogel

 

Traveling is a trip,

Immigration is a travel.

 

Work where else,

Elsewhere work,

U.S. work for work where else.

 

Karla Fernandes-Vogel,

Left, went, came back,

Stayed.

 

The travel was smooth,

Smooth as a stone,

But then comes a bump!

 

Bump not a lump,

But a lumpy bump.

 

The bump of staying,

The bump of starting.

Starts again,

But stayed already.

 

Ongoing forever,

Forever ongoing.

 

When adventure awaits,

Wait not for adventure,

Wait for the chance.

 

She took her chance,

Threw it towards her hope,

Her everlasting desire,

She climbed the hill,

Back from Brazil,

Not newest to America.

 

27 years,

2001,

Broke through the wall,

Climbed up the hill,

Right to the top,

But did not stop.

 


A Long Journey

By Will

 

When my grandmother, (Ida) got on the boat she went to steerage

 

She brought very little money, so she had to go to steerage

 

I don’t know what she did next, but I’m sure it was bad

 

The next thing that she did, I bet she was not glad

 

Then when she got off the boat after a long, hard, and boring trip

 

They are finally at the United States of America!

 

When Ida got off the dcek she went to the Great Hall

 

She did mentel, legal inspections she did them all

 


Awesome Immigration

By Zara Seegars, inspired by Jiovana Seegars

 

Haiti to America Jiovana

What should she think

Cars, trains, planes and taxis

Would be out of sight

 

Jiovana; child of loving

Her vacation

is very mild

 

She flew with

her mom’s friend

Tons, tons and tons
of people

 

She misses Haiti

Mom’s friend

is a lady


Celia Schved

By Ziva

 

Coming on the ship.

Storms coming people yelling “Quick!”

Crowded, feeling overwhelmed.

 

Pushing, shoving, feel the waves are coming.

Hungary to Chicago,

Very hard, feel like crying.

 

Living with cousins in America,

People!

Dozens!

In the bottom of the boat, no air,

Bad food with not a lot of care.

 

Missing parents,

Living on my own for the first time…

Got to get a job for the first time!

 

Now I clean for a person,

And it’s hard work!

But that’s my job!

 

Climbing up a hill that never ends.

Working, chores, so much more.

 

Only 16, living with cousins,

Here I am…

AMERICA


 

A Day With Lady Liberty: Poems

A Day With Lady Liberty

By Hanako

 

As we glide underground

In the silver blur of the subway

My friends play a game

To choose your own adventure

 

We got off the long elegant metal snake

To the ferry

Smoothly gliding across the water

 

We got out into

The knife sharp air

The figure of Lady Liberty

Just visible through

The bustling crowd

 

We visited the miniscule memories of

Bartholdy

Eiffel

Emma Lazarus

 

We sit and eat

Get attacked by pure white birds

Gray spots tease on their feathers

Like shells on sand

 

We went in the gift shop

Dropped off what is banned in

The mother of exiles

And we went on

Into

The Statue of Liberty

 

We went in

There before us

Was a model of the torch

 

We imitated it’s every detail

On a piece of paper

We left

 

To go to the pedestal

We climbed

Stairs and stairs and stairs and… you know what’s coming

My legs were about to part company with me

 

I was as glad as a sailor reaching shore

We made it!

 

Information about the Statue of Liberty

Flying at me like arrows

 

Bedloe’s Island was chosen because it makes her look big

The torch up there is a model made of  24 karat gold

 

Too fast to write down

I sketch instead

The unique and beautiful stair pattern

 

We go down down down

Get lost and find where we are

 

Go to the museum

Get lost in a question

Bo helps us with a riddle

 

And we’re on the water once again

 

April 10, 2018


Beacon                             1886

By Alejandro Ulrich,

 

Boats surround me, for the water is my guard,

Lines of white, streaks of light,

for the city is my crystal shard.

 

The golden hand into reach of the sun, the diamond crown shines like a starry night.

For freedom is now in sight.

 

Her still eyes gaze upon us with a gleam of hope.

She lassos the world with her mighty rope.

 

The soft ring of the sky echoes in my ear, the cloud calls.

 

The warmth covers me like heavy wool shawls.


 

Lady Liberty, Free For Us To Explore

by Sonia

 

The sculptures in the front

Caught my eye;

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi,

Gustave Eiffel,

Édouard René de Laboulaye,

Richard Morris Hunt,

Emma Lazarus.

We go to the top of the pedestal.

I feel completely comfortable and calm.

But then I look up…

My whole world spins.

My stomach drops

But I keep going.

 

Looking out at the harbor calms me.

The smell of the sea is the smell that the

Statue of Liberty

Is true too.

It is the smell that brought

Lady Liberty

To welcome everyone

Coming from everywhere.

I hear the call of the seagulls

A lot flying in search of their

lunch.

 

The honor to come

From anywhere.

It’s been taken.

Only the ones like Norwegians

The ones Trump likes

Are aloud to explore

Our free country.

 

The others,

They try and try

But he just won’t except.

Only the 45,000 that he adores

Can come.

 

3.5 million visit

Lady Liberty a year.

2.7 million visit

Ellis Island a year.

Only 45,000 new ones

Get to experience the

Glory, the freedom, and the happiness

Each year.

Only the ones he

Knows and wants can come.


Liberty

By Giselle Molaei

 

She is big.

She is powerful.

Her arms stretch like a seagull’s wings.

The sun shines like a diamond against her jade skin.

The pedestal casts a shadow of fame.

I can hear the rough sound of the engine bubbling in the calm sea.

I can feel the stone cold wind from the tips of my hair to my toenails.

I can see water filling people’s eyes.

Like a rainy day when the clouds are crying.

Her torch is a flame that shines across the seven seas.

Her lips shine in the sun like silk.

She is going somewhere nobody knows.

She stares across the world no looking back.

Nothing can stop her.

She is the mother of all people.

All immigrants want to come to America because of her.

When I look at her I see freedom.

The Totally New Colossus

 By Libi

Towering over

The place I call home

The big green lady

With the robes of a Greek giant goddess

She moves towards the sun  

And freedom

Welcoming the people and seagulls (caw!)

Of different worlds

Welcoming “your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

Taking them under

Your copper-green wing

Your 62,000 pound copper-green wing

Walking from

Your 87 foot pedestal

Centered on Bedloe’s Island

You never felt less at home

The seven rays on your crown

Do they shine anymore? No.

Now they call for money, fame, power, and dullness

She is yelling for change

Her voice is not heard.


Liberty Rising Out of the Ocean

By Sarah

 

As we walk along the gangplank the wind whipped through the trees

The water gently sloshing to accompany the breeze

She really is like all the stories say

I can’t believe he dreamed this: Mr. Laboulaye

Lady Liberty is truly very grand

As well as in the poem, her mild eyes command

We walk onto Liberty’s base

And learn the history of every line on her face

The overlay of her dress makes shadows smirk, dance, and tease

Again, here comes the flimsy, nimble, breeze

Emma Lazarus helped create the image we see now

Mother of Exiles, immigrant queen now they don’t have to bow

To anyone

You will be safe

In America

 

Soft, sweet, safe, surrender

To the obliviation of pain

Warm, welcomed, wrapped in a blanket of love from her

Coming through Ellis Island

Hope for a new life

When your eyes catch hers

Liberty seems to rise out of the ocean

To meet you

Is this the land that comes through from your dreams?

The land of love, peace, and tranquility?

Will you be safe

In America?

 

Liberty the Majestic Queen

By Palma

 

The wind blows on the old bedloe’s island now called liberty island

It is cold outside and the sky is blue

and The talk, talk, talk, of amazed people is there

To lovely liberty island we shall go

to the copper mighty women.

They seeked freedom.

So come to America      

as she greets you

you have arrived

As she stands on her pedestal of 87 feet tall we think it is a throne…

She has a beautiful dress of green that many have seen

She wears a crown that used to be brown

Evan though you can only see her shoe you know she is saying hello to you.

She has the torch that lights the way to freedom.

The beautiful colossus who is know to be brown has changed to green just like her emerald self –

will she change more?

She is like a precious jewel, one that all want to see, one where not one can look away.

She is like a good dream, one that make all want to stay in bed and continue dreaming, one that we all want to be true… Liberty is true…. True.

Liberty!

 

 

The Woman of Freedom

By Celia

 

It was cold and windy

The sun was locked up by the clouds,

Birds were soaring above,

“caw caw…” they sing,

Where am I?

I think to myself

Then I look up,

And see the Woman of Freedom

A woman of hope

And a woman of

welcoming

 

 

What the World Meant to Me and Her

By Macy

 

She holds the torch in her hand with

the grip that brought people together.

To show that a woman can do things bigger than a man could do.

More than a tennis match or protesting,

she let freedom rise in America.

She whispered to the waves and welcomed the ones going through Ellis Island.

She made great hope for America

that soon it will be more fair than ever before.

 

Lady Liberty

By Saffron Zeff

 

From feet

to train

to boat

to high up in the sky

an adventure

a cold windy adventure

with people speaking in different languages

Shooooo

as the sound of planes flying by

I feel relaxed

  I feel as if I’m flying,

I lean over the edge

and my heart drops

inside I hear a little voice screaming

“I know it’s high, but you’re alright.”

I slowly walked away.

    

Contemporary Monument Project: The Statue of Liberty Reimagined in 2018

 

Title: Kneeling for Freedom

Artists: Sebastian, Harley and Macy

Medium: Papier Mache, Wood, Wire, and Paint

Date: April 4th, 2018

===============================================

Our sculpture represents a Statue of Liberty in 2018 because it shows that everyone should be treated equally. For example, we made a sign that had a mixture of a “female symbol”, and “male symbol”, often used as a bathroom sign, to show gender equality. There is a necklace on the person’s arm that says “Welcome all people” and that means that anyone can come settle in the country.

There are a few things that symbolize liberty on our sculpture. Some of these things are that  the person kneeling is holding up a torch. There is also a LGBTQ+ flag to show that people support people in the LGBTQ+ community. The necklace, (mentioned in the previous paragraph), represents that immigrants are welcome into the country. The head is an eagle, which is America’s national bird, and to some people, america is a free country.

We used a lot of symbols but this one I think stands out and it’s that the person is kneeling. This was a big deal in the NFL because of Colin Kaepernick. He started kneeling in October for racial injustice. It has been one of the big, important protests in 2018. Also, the person who is kneeling is holding a torch, which was inspired by the current Statue of Liberty. We think he should start kneeling for gun control too.

People need to calm down sometimes and look at something peaceful. Can you find something that symbolizes peace in your home?

 

The Cage of Countries Needs American Freedom within its Wings

By: Giselle Molaei & Palma Schwab

paper mache and wood

2018

Our sculpture represents a good statue for 2018 because it expresses the freedom that some people do not have and wish to have. We are trying to show the immigrants that if they need a place to stay for freedom they can always come to America (Well, not always because of Trump.)

What we put in our statue to support the idea of liberty was we used the idea of freedom. We made it so the other countries would be the cage of no freedom, by the bird escaping the cage we made it so the bird was fleeing and was going to America which is represented by putting an American flag on the outside of the cage.

The symbols we used was a cage with a bald eagle in it. The cage represents non-freedom (slavery, unfairness and in a country.)

 

Imprisoned Warrior

By Sonia Stomberg-Firestein, Saffron Zeff and Celia Binn

Thursday, April 5, 2018

When you look at our project you may notice that there is a symbol of barbed wire at the top. This represents refugees stuck in camps with nowhere to go. This sends a strong message out because only 10% of refugees resettle in camps.

As you can see there are posts around the edges of the platform. T hose posts symbolize being caged in your home country with no way out. This is a problem for a lot of people in countries like Syria and Venezuela. One problem with the Venezuelan refugee situation is that  25% of whites in the world don’t know what is happening in Venezuela at the moment. There are a lot of countries in the Caribbean and South America that people don’t really think about. We feel that this is true in these places because they are of a different race and some people think that this particular race is of a lower class.

As you continue to observe our project you may notice that the cage only has three caged sides. The open side has a woman walking out, she symbolizes opening the refugee camps and letting people get away from what they are fleeing. Another thing that the open side of the cage represents is freedom so people can be free and go where they want.The woman walking out represents women rights and how not only men are powerful and strong. I think this is one of the most important parts of the monument because it represents freedom and people (refugees) who can’t do a lot of things that others can.

If you look at the very bottom of the monument, you can see there is a mashup of all the flags mixed together. This represents that no matter who you are, or where your from you are welcome to New York. We got this idea from Emma Lazarus who wrote the poem The New Colossus wich now stands on the bottom of the Statue of Liberty.

Also, we choose to name our moment “Inspired Warrior” because she is standing up for herself by walking away from her “bad life.”  One minute she’s stuck in a refugee camp, the next minute she’s out in the real world with a feeling of pride.

 

 

The Collaborative Flag

Created by  Bayo and Libi

The materials: Paint, paper and cardboard

Started on Feb.31, 2018

Finished on April.11

The way it is the Statue of Liberty of 2018  is because of the current situation with Donald Trump and how he has been banning certain countries. It shows everyone is welcome no matter where they’re from.

We included the literal idea of welcoming people in different languages and the kind of metaphorical idea of a bunch of different countries’ flags to show that here everyone is welcome even though our president might not think that. We also did it to restore hope in those who are not allowed to leave their home countries.

 

Liberty Kneeling

Hanako Gibersztajn and Sarah Mehl

Papier Mâché, paint, paper bags, newspapers, fabric, yarn, fake leather, and wood

2018

Our monument represents a Statue of Liberty for 2018 because there is a football player kneeling, which is a recent protest about racial injustice. It supports the idea of liberty because there is a football player and a goddess kneeling and pulling a chain apart together and an eagle with its wings majestically outstretched. They are on a base that has the words,

“We the people work as one”

The symbols we used are a kneeling football player, a goddess, a broken chain, and an eagle.  They represent power, strength, and freedom.

 

 

Freedom Escaping                                                                       

Made with wood, cardboard, wire, papier mâché and paint.            

Theo, Bo, Cy and Alejandro

2018

This represents the Statue of Liberty today because it shows a bird breaking free from a cage (freedom). We think it represents freedom as the bird flies out of the cage but it’s also connecting to the Statue of Liberty because they are both breaking out of chains.

This has a powerful meaning that we need to use now of all times because the numbers of immigrants coming in are getting smaller and smaller because of Donald Trump.

 

Title: The Welcomer (new modified Statue of Liberty)

Medium: Paper Mache and Cardboard

Artists: Henry and Arlo

Date: 2018

  1. Our monument is the Statue of liberty except it has signs about modern problems.
  1. I included a sign that says “Up With Freedom.
  1. The sign that says “Boo Donald Trump!” symbolizes that the USA has a bad president. And it has a big welcome sign that show immigrants are welcome here.

 

A Visit to “Gilded Cage”

“It makes you feel free!”

By Reporter, Cy Fawkes

CENTRAL PARK- Deborah and Shelby’s fourth grade class set out on an interviewing expedition on one of the coldest days of the year. The brave fourth graders didn’t let the cold stop them from researching the gilded cage. They cleverly took the speedy F train to 57th street and got off. As they made their way to the cage they noticed a toasty waffle shop. Cy, one of the fourth graders commented by saying, “That guy’s so lucky. We have to stay in the cold!”

The interesting gilded cage was now filled with fourth graders taking notes and playing with the turnstiles. Cy noticed that it looked like a golden birdcage and knowing Ai Weiwei it probably symbolizes refugees breaking out of a birdcage (country).  “On the inside you feel trapped but you can break through with the entrance, ” exclaimed Cy.  Ai Weiwei made the cage so that you can look up and there is no roof. Cy says, “It makes you feel free!”

Cy and another fourth grader, called Bo interviewed Mark from the UK who was coming here on a business trip.  Mark had lots of interesting opinions. Mark had never seen any of Ai’s work so this was all new to him. As an answer to the question do you support refugees he said, “I don’t personally support them but, I guess they have to do what they have to do.”


From Arlo:

On January 25, 2018 we went to the gilded cage. The ‘gilded cage’ is a huge cage with turnstiles. The only thing I could possibly interview was a bird. Immediately I noticed it was the work of Ai Weiwei, a Chinese artist with a bad reputation in China because he went against the government, but he has a good reputation in the U.S.A. He mainly raises awareness for refugees. The cage is open, so metaphorically refugees can get out of their country/cage.

I guess the cage is 40 feet tall. I think it was supposed to be in a populated area. There are a lot of people who live near Central Park…I think you already know it is gold or gold plated because of the name ‘gilded cage.’ I think he gilded the cage to make it stand out, so he can raise more awareness for refugees.


From Alejandro:

I think Ai Weiwei’s “Gilded Cage” symbolizes refugees and how they are trapped from leaving their countries and kind of imprisoned. Since there was no roof and a way to get in Its like his message was that they were being set free. This is similar to his other art installation in Washington Square Park.


From Bayo:

I think Ai Weiwei is trying to send a message about being aware of immigrants and seeing how we have divided everybody and we have to be aware for immigrants and refugees. A way we could build awareness is by putting posters around the school and what that would do is make kids remember every time they whine to their parents there are kids who are less fortunate. We could also make pins about kids who don’t have the same resources and things as us and the kids in our school who get pins can tell their parents and the parents told their friends and the friends tell their friends until everybody is aware.

This structure makes me think and reminds me that everybody isn’t as fortunate as me and there is lots of people struggling with serious life problems while we are complaining about our parents not getting us a device or a piece of candy. When I was inside the artwork it made me feel kind of sad because all these kids who are getting separated because of where they are from. What I noticed inside was there were turnstyles inside the artwork – it was in the shape of a cage. There was no roof which could be a metaphor for there is a chance refugees and immigrants could escape from the constant fleeing from place to place.


From Bo:

Given what I know about immigration and refugees throughout the years, I think Ai Weiwei’s big message is: throughout the world there are many refugees; these are all humans just like us and many of them are trapped in their “cage” (country) and they are stuck sometimes in that cage.

When given the opportunity to leave they will try to get out, which is represented in the turnstiles. They are all special like gold which is represented in the gilded part of the cage. So in my opinion this art means no matter who you are remember to think about refugees.


From Cece:

I think Ai Weiwei chose to place his art there because it has his own spot and across the street is a gold horse that is also gilded. I think Ai Weiwei’s art is to show people how being trapped in a cage does not help the world. I also think that he is trying to say that trapping immigrants out of the country does not help the world or America.


From Giselle

I felt very dizzy and claustrophobic because he wants us to notice how refugees feel.

On Jan 2018 we went to a piece of Ai Weiwei’s work called “ Gilded Cage ” . Gilded means highlighted with gold. I think Ai Weiwei named this piece of art a “ Gilded Cage “ because it looks like a golden cage. I think he put this art in Central Park so everyone can see it. I think the art represents people can’t get out of their country. This piece of art makes me think of a bird cage. I felt very dizzy and claustrophobic because he wants us to notice how refugees feel. I noticed inside the art piece that the bars can move. Outside of the structure that it was so detailed. I could almost see the brush strokes of golden color rushing down the cage.


From Hanako:

I think Ai Weiwei named his piece “Gilded Cage” because gilded also means privileged and only the privileged get to leave the country if there’s war or famine or disease or anything like that.

I think Ai Weiwei put this here because maybe he wanted to symbolize when people break out of the cage, they break out into the open and they can be free. I think this because both of the pieces that we visited were built at a park entrance. I think his message is, “Let them be free, they’re humans, just like you.” This structure reminds me of a giant cheeto… and a bird cage. When you go inside the artwork, look up and spin, it makes you go cross eyed and dizzy. Also when I went inside, I noticed that there were turnstiles in the cage that you couldn’t get to move. They remind me of trains which take you away and since you can’t get to them, it’s kind of like being trapped in your country. When I’m outside of it, I notice that it is very cagelike but there is also a big hole at the top.


From Harley

I think Ai Weiwei placed this here because it’s a public space that a lot of people go into (especially tourists) and the more people that know about it, the better. To me, the cage looks like a bird cage. Inside the artwork, I kind of felt trapped. I think Ai Weiwei’s message is that some refugees are stuck in their countries during things like famine and war, and that all people should be allowed into America. Also, we complain about unnecessary things, when people are dying while living in countries with bad situations going on.


From Macy

“We need to stand up and be strong, be proud and fight peacefully to make things right.”

The second we stepped into the cage I was amazed because it must have taken a year to make all of this. I think he put the art in this space because a lot people walk by it and it is close to Trump Tower. To me I think it means that we need to get out together. In order to be free. I think it is good that it is close to Trump Tower because we all need to send him a message for freedom and also for standing up for immigrants. I like that Ai Weiwei expresses all of his strong feelings and puts them into art. Instead of being violent he does things peacefully. Ai Weiwei is most likely to support DACA and the ‘DREAMERS’ because it is also immigration related. This is my quote: “We need to stand up and be strong, be proud and fight peacefully make things right.” I had a fun and great time learning about Ai Weiwei’s “Gilded Cage” piece of artwork.


From Palma

I learned that gilded means covered thinly with gold or something elegant, it can also mean wealthy or privileged. I think Ai placed his art here in Central Park because many tourists and other people what to come to Central Park to see some green and if they go to Central Park they might see the artwork then, Ai’s message will be spread around the city. I think that Ai’s message is that immigrants are important because they help our country. This structure reminds me of a bad bird cage, it’s sad that birds have to live in bad enclosed spaces, now Ai has made this artwork to make sure that nobody cages humans in their home country. My question is why do some people do not think it is good to have humans trapped in spaces but it’s ok for other animals? It was nice to see Ai Weiwei’s “Gilded Cage!”


Saffron reports:

On Thursday, January 25, DS4 went to Central Park to see Ai Weiwei’s art, “The Gilded Cage.” A fourth grader named Saffron had an interesting experience. She got to school that day with an excited look on her face. She did some morning work and then went out into the cold weather, really cold weather. She was scared to go on the train but she was brave and did it anyway. She got off the train with her class and walked to Central Park, and they found the art. Her class got there and they were all frozen, now their job was to interview people admiring the art. Saffron and her partner Sonia went up to these two women named Sarah and Karen, they were both born in the US. They knew everything about the art. But this one they didn’t really like. They supported DACA and rights for everyone. I asked them, ”Are you a Trump supporter?” Sarah said “No, he is an embarrassment to our country.” Karen said she also when to the Women’s March and fought for DACA and for equality.” What really stood out to Saffron was that Sarah had a sticker on her jacket that said “RESIST.” To Saffron that showed she was a powerful woman with a big heart and a big personality.   


From Sarah:

I think Ai Weiwei named it this because it’s covered in golden paint and it is a metaphor for containing refugees and immigrants with the cage as something “with a showy or pleasing appearance hiding something of little worth” which represents the refugees. I think it was placed in this location because there is another gilded thing around; the golden General William Tecumseh Sherman monument. I think the message Ai Weiwei was sending was that refugees and immigrants are trapped in their country unfairly like this gilded cage. It reminds me of a golden bird cage with many thick pieces of metal with turnstiles inside. I think maybe he included the turnstiles because you move through turnstiles to get somewhere. When I’m inside the “Gilded Cage” I feel claustrophobic, small, and contained. When I was inside the artwork I noticed there are many layers of golden-hued metal. When I was outside I noticed that the layers are thick. I think Ai Weiwei purposely made it thick to be more daunting. Our trip to the “Gilded Cage” was interesting, informative, and cold!


From Sebastian

As I stepped foot on the cold concrete I felt the severe chilly weather. I thought, Brooklyn is so much warmer than here in Manhattan.

The 57th street train station we stopped at in my opinion looked like a prison because there was a big area that looked like a prison cafeteria. And the area where the railroad tracks are looked like the sells.

When I first saw outside I wondered how the earth’s surface looked so flat with all of the tall buildings. It felt colder than lower Manhattan.

As we finally arrived at the Gilded Cage it looked way bigger than I saw in the picture. When we went inside I noticed there were turnstyles and Hanako told me to look up and spin. It felt like I was on a tilt-a-whirl at Coney Island. I think this cage means kind of like refugees are trapped in their country and there is no way out. When I started sketching it I felt like my hands were going to freeze to death.

I wanted to go climb on the huge rocks that I saw.

I think Ai Weiwei’s message is to let refugees into the country because they deserve a right to have freedom. This structure reminds me of my aunt because she loves Ai Weiwei and when she came to New York she wanted to see “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.” It feels cool to be in the piece because I want to climb it and I feel safe in it. I noticed when I was inside there were turnstyles and I wondered why. I notice when I’m outside a big cage that is orange with 5 lines going horizontally and 92 going vertically and an opening on the top and on the side.

I had a great cold time at the Gilded Cage and THANK YOU AI WEIWEI!!!


From Sonia

My other thought is “a subway station” because inside the bars there are turnstiles that you can’t get to. This is another message. I think showing this particular feature says that there are places that you want to go that you don’t have access to at the moment. It might also mean that there are places that you want and may need to go for safety but there are people blocking your opportunity.


From Theo

This structure reminds me of a bird cage. One question I was thinking is that why did he have turnstiles in the cage?

I think Ai WeiWei’s message to immigrants is to come for a better life and especially jobs, jobs equal money, that’s what gilded stands for. The immigrants are still in the cage.

It feels peaceful to be inside the artwork because in Central Park you hear the stomping of horses, birds chirping, and smell the  Belgian Waffles being sold.


From Deborah and Shelby:

Looking at art and considering some very big issues in our world on an extremely cold day in January could be a daunting experience. So when we happened upon this tree on our walk back to the subway and Fourth Graders spontaneously decided to give it a big hug, we smiled and felt warm because there was a feeling of appreciation in that moment.

A Trip to Washington Square Park and “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”

This past week we went on two field trips to support our understanding of both historical and contemporary immigration. First, we went to Ellis island and then two days later we were off to Washington Square Park, where students made observational sketches of Ai Weiwei’s artwork under the arch. Then students interviewed people in the park. In preparation for the trip, students read an article about Ai Weiwei’s exhibit, “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors,” which is comprised of over 300 pieces currently installed throughout New York City. Students read the article carefully, (see examples of their note-taking below) and then came up with questions to ask people in the park.

This was our second experience this year going to Washington Square Park, observing art, and thinking about immigration. How fortunate we are to be able to walk out our door and within a few blocks, see things and talk to people who can help us build a better understanding of our world.

From “Huge immigration-themed exhibit takes shape around New York City,” by Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff 10/16/17

 

Harley reports:

And refugees need respect. They’re just people, like everyone else in the world.

I think Ai Weiwei’s art meant refugees leaving their country. I think this because one woman, when asked the question, “What does the art mean to you?” said “It looks like a cage. But people broke through it.” In my opinion, the cage is a country, and the hole in it was made by refugees.

For me, the arch is a reason to leave your country. The cage is the country, and the hole is people escaping. I think the arch is a reason to leave your country because it’s what covers the cage. And the cage is the country. The hole is people leaving because it’s like a big rip as if there was someone in the cage who broke through.

My questions are: Why do refugees come to America? Do they always come to America? And if they don’t, where do they go?

Next, I think we should spread awareness of the refugee situation. I think we should do this because the current president thinks refugees shouldn’t come to America. But if they can’t get into America, they don’t really have anywhere else to go. Ways we can spread awareness are posters, buttons, protests etc..The more people who know about the refugee situation, the more people who don’t respect refugees might start respecting them. And refugees need respect. They’re just people, like everyone else in the world.


Sebastian reports:

I thought that was a good answer because I believe in what they said and it makes sense because everyone on earth deserves a right to speak and get what they need.

The most interesting thing about the Ai Weiwei trip was when I asked someone,“What does this sculpture mean to you?” They said, “It means that people have a right to speak.” I thought that was a good answer because I believe in what they said and it makes sense because everyone on earth deserves a right to speak and get what they need.

I noticed most of the Asian people knew Ai Weiwei and non-Asians didn’t. A lot of people were there. Kids were at the playground.

My reactions were, “Wow the sculpture looks smaller than in the picture.”” I like interviewing, people it’s fun.” “Wow! Ai Weiwei I know him.” “Very good answer.” “I fully agree about what you said.” “This is so fun to draw.” “This is the second time I have seen Ai Weiwei’s work. I have seen it on Alcatraz island.”

Why did we go to Ai Weiwei’s exhibit? If it’s about refugees why were we there if we’re studying about immigrants?


The Amazing Ai Weiwei Trip

by Arlo

The “Arch” is a piece of artwork that is under the arch in Washington Square Park.  There are two refugees passing through the cage. We went there on Thursday. We came up with questions to ask people who were passing through the arch. We came up with five questions for homework on Wednesday. Libi and I interviewed people who were admiring the art and we got a lot of answers.  But some people don’t know anything about the “Arch” and that is not good at all.

I also have some questions about the artwork. I don’t know why Ai Weiwei had to place the artwork under the Washington Square Arch? I wonder what tools the artist used? And why he decided to put a mirror inside of it?  I think the next trip we should go on is to another Ai Weiwei structure about refugees and immigrants. Or an immigration museum like Ellis Island.  Or we can find another immigrant related piece of art.


Libi reports:

On Thursday, December 7 we went to Washington Square Park to see some of Ai Weiwei’s work in his exhibition, “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.” We saw some students from the New School there doing exactly what we were doing.

The art was silver, the inside was kind of like a mirror, shiny and reflecting. The outside was barred and looked like a fence (obviously.) Our class interviewed people. A lot of people said that their parents were immigrants from Italy. One person named Naz said that she emigrated from Turkey to get a better education. A very kind man named Dan said that he would rather the Christmas tree be there. He said, “This art is nice, it has a nice meaning, but it’s a tradition for the Christmas tree to be there.”

I think that we should go there again and interview other people.

Hanako reports:

“That’s right!” go to 6th grade and take your friend with you.”

(December 7, 2017) The arch was huge with statues of Washington, stone angels and a quote by George Washington. Sonia and I interviewed a man. After we finished asking him questions, he asked us this,”Do you know why there are 13 stars on the arch?” We answered,”The 13 colonies.” he said, ”That’s right. If you get this right, you can go straight to 6th grade. What do the 42 stars mean on the arch?” Sonia and I thought for a moment and then Sonia said, “Because at the time the arch was built there were only 42 states.” The man said, “That’s right!” go to 6th grade and take your friend with you.”


Alejandro reports:

My partner Saffron and I walked up to the great arch. It had humongous stone angels with words carved on top. Right inside of it was a huge metal cage just small enough to fit in the arch. Right in the middle of the cage there was a hole that looked as though a stuffed animal bear smashed through the cage. When you could walk through the hole there is silver all around you.

First, we sat and sketched the cage.

After I finished drawing the cage, Saffron and I were petrified to interview someone. We tried to interview someone but everyone was already being interviewed by other students. Then I saw a man just looking at the cage on the left of it. Me and Saffron shuddering, walked over to the guy. She tried walking away but I subtly pushed her toward the guy. She tried walking away again but before she could, I said, “Can we interview you quickly?” “Sure,” he said.  We only asked one question and that was: “What do you see in this piece?” Then he answered, “I see, I see two people on an adventure.”

I think next we should go to another of the 300 art pieces that are from Ai Weiwei.

Bosco Sodi Writes Back

I’m happy you realized that even when a wall has to be dismantled brick by brick, there is no wall in life (physical, social, or mental) that cannot be removed. Please never forget that!

Bosco Sodi

When we returned from the farm trip, a package was waiting for us at the front desk. So of course we opened it and were so excited to find an invitation, a beautiful book, and a letter from the artist Bosco Sodi, whose art happening we participated in on the second day of school at Washington Square Park.

Yesterday, during our weekly community meeting, our class spent some time with Bosco’s letter discussing the idea of removing walls whether they be physical, social or mental. The discussion was very lively and we were excited to see how readily students connected to these big ideas.

His gallery exhibition, “Caryatides” opens this Thursday at the Paul Kasmin Gallery, 515 West 27th Street and you are invited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

To Build a Wall and Then Take It Down

Photos by Robert Banat:   RobertBanat.com  RobertBanat@gmail.com

FOURTH GRADERS WENT  TO WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK on the second day of school and participated in an art installation with the artist, Bosco Sodi.

On the day of the trip, we let students know we were going on a mystery walk and we did not give them any background information beyond the fact that an artist, Bosco Sodi, would be there creating a piece of art in a public space. Their job was to make sense of it.

When we arrived in the park, the artist and his team were in full swing building a wall with timbers made in Mexico by local artisans. Fourth graders perched close by with their clipboards and took notes. 

Soon enough, the artist, Bosco Sodi, offered students the opportunity to join in and help. “Sure!” they chimed. In no time, fourth graders formed an assembly line from the crates of bricks to the growing wall and passed the timbers to their temporary destination. Even our most reserved and careful students were stepping into line. It was a beautiful moment! Students experiencing first-hand that they have powers and a voice.

When we returned to the classroom, students enthusiastically shared their predictions, assessments, and questions. Just as we had hoped, they came up with a spectrum of interpretations ranging from the installation being a community-building event to a protest against the president’s wall proposal. We read more about the project and the artist, including the artist’s statement,

“It’s my first political performance and I just felt I had to do it now. I wanted to show that any wall is dismantlable. We, the public, can tear down walls when society gets together. It could be a mental, physical, or political wall – the point is, it’s ephemeral.”

We also found out that the bricks were boxed up in Mexico and traveled to New York via a route often taken by undocumented migrants.

That afternoon, at 3:00 the wall was dismantled. Timbers were given away to anyone who wanted one. We have one in our classroom now as a reminder of our special experience and as a metaphor to consider as we learn more about historical and contemporary immigration.

The next day, students wrote letters to the artist. Of course they were filled with thoughtfulness. We include just a few examples here. If you would like to see all of the letters, copies of them are all posted on the bulletin board outside of our classroom. We sent the originals to the artist.

Dear Mr. Sodi,

Hello my name is Cy. I saw “Muro.” I thought it was really cool. I noticed that you put lots of hard work and effort into making it. I think people should respect that. I felt really helpful because I helped make “Muro.” It felt good to be helpful.

“Muro,” made me think that projects could build community. I went back later that day and got three timbers. I think it’s interesting that you signed every timber. It was like each timber got your autograph on it. What gave you the idea to make “Muro”? I would really like to know. I hope you make more cool projects like this.

Sincerely,

Cy


PS: I just heard about the earthquake. I hope everything is okay.

 

Dear Mr. Sodi,

My name is Hanako and I really like the art that you made in Washington Square Park. I saw when you were building the wall you fit the clay timbers in very well, it reminded me of the work of a Japanese carpenter! When I was helping build the wall I felt like I was helping a lot of people and at least making a small difference in the world.

 

The experience made me think about how confused I am about the fact that Trump wants to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. What gave you the idea of the specific protest? One more thing, you have really inspired me to think about the problems in the world a lot more.

Sincerely,

Hanako

 

 

Dear Bosco Sodi,

I really liked your wall. I noticed how the wall was built. When I got there I was confused because I didn’t know the wall was there. I thought about what the wall could represent.

I connected your wall to how the world was built by community. A question I have for you is, you have homes in NYC and Mexico but where were you born?

I really liked your art.

Sincerely,

Harley

Dear Mr. Sodi,

I am Theo from LREI. I thought the installation was really cool because you made 1,600 timbers and made it into a wall. Being there felt really awesome because it was a very good way to protest about Trump’s wall. That wall made me think about Trump’s wall and it looks like you were building it. It looks like my wall at home. Why did you do it in Washington Square Park? I think you gave away the timbers because you wanted people to remember to help the people in Mexico.

Love,

Theo