2021

This year I am working on “…and also with you”: a NYFA funded, multi-platform project, which creates documentaries, paintings, motion-activated projections, and immersive installations based on the personal stories of refugees and immigrants.

upcoming 
 “SKY”
“Sky” will be the second offering from “…and also with you”
In September 2021, I went to Mexico City to visit  CAFEMIN and interviewed several of the Central American refugees who are housed and supported there. My interviews will be presented as a web series, interactive immersive projections, paintings, and a fund-raiser.
Aakash (आकाश) literally means sky. Aakash also refers to open mindedness, aerospace, atmosphere and heaven.
Tattoo from a refugee I met in Texas.  Aakash (आकाश) literally means sky. This is the name of her daughter whom she was separated from at the border. My project “sky” is dedicated to this woman and her daughter.

 

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The Man from Eritrea
The Man from Eritrea was the first offering from “…and also with you”

EV Gallery

621 East 11th St New York, NY 10009. 

July 16th 2021-August 13th 2021

Jack Edward Martin performs at the opening.  Wall-sized scrolling narration of the full text, word for word, of a conversation I had with Dawit Kahsay as he described his travels from Eritrea Africa to Texas.still from the motion-activated projection
Jack Edward Martin performs at the opening.  Wall-sized scrolling narration of the full text, word for word, of a conversation I had with Dawit Kahsay as he described his travels from Eritrea Africa to Texas

The Man from Eritrea

 

download: narration Dawit Kahsay.  

Interactive projections, paintings, and scrolling projections of a word-for-word conversation I had with a refugee from Eritrea as he described his journey from Africa to Texas

In May I visited Casa Marianella a shelter for refugees in Austin Texas, where I interviewed several of the residents.

Here is where I met Dawit Kahsay, a refugee from Eritrea, who was the inspiration for this piece.

He did not want his image recorded, so just the words he said are projected in the gallery window and his voice can be heard through headphones.

This projection plays throughout the night, every night,  7 PM — 7AM

Physical paintings as well as motion-activated animations which describe his journey surround the projection.

motion-activated projection of various imagery (found, filmed, painted, animated) that illustrate his journey over land and sea.
still from motion-activated projection
Women and children in line at the border; watercolor and gouache on paper 14 x17 2021
Zlata Berman, Esq gives a talk on refugee law
Zlata Berman, Esq gives a talk on refugee law
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening
Yoshiko Chuma dances at opening

 

description of the installation and the paintings and other objects in the window
The opening includes a public lecture by a Zlata Berman, Esq. on refugee law
“Border Lands” oil on wood 12×16 2020
“Border Lands” oil on wood 12×16 2020
still from motion activation projection
 
“and also with you 12 ” refugee from Eritrea carrying a child; oil on panel, 12 x12, 2021

 

“order wall at dawn” oil on wood 12×16 2020
still from motion activation projection
still from motion activation projection
still from motion activation projection
still from motion activation projection
“yellow land border wall” oil on wood 12×16 2020