Project: Visions of Peace (Project Row Houses)
DATE: 2006
NARRATIVE: Youth do not always perceive violence in a
negative light; sometimes, violent actions are even
considered cool or sweet.
This tension, between both the positive and negative
reactions towards violence is visually conceptualized
in this installation. Along with excerpts of their poetry,
the beauty and diversity of stenciled faces on the walls
are the youth and adult participants in the project. The
video wall projection shows a pair of hands accepting
colored powdered sugar but soon becoming consumed by the
sweet substance. The wall itself is constructed of
two-thirds sugar and translates visually the topography
of faces from over one hundred of the project participants.
Visitors are encouraged to interact with the space by
touching the sugar located in clear cubes around the
interior. The smell and sweet taste of sugar fills the
air and sticks to hands. Participating in a Dewey-like
system of social pedagogy, all are implicated in the
making of this artwork and conversation about violence.
The visual conversation only flourishes as people enter
and participate, creating the artwork by entering into
the conversation