Final Review

Artist Statement:
I started working on Phase I on September 22, 2011; this was the morning after Troy Davis was executed. I was furious and exhausted from the night before. During the four hours at the vigil for Troy; I went through feelings of defeat, the potential hope of a delay of execution, the wait for the delayed decision, and the final heartbreak of the Supreme Court to execute this (most likely) innocent man.

The next morning I came to the studio, got out the Sumi Ink, and started drawing the candle from the vigil and a portrait of Troy. I used this process as a somewhat cathartic exploration. I began using the ink in a way that expressed how I was feeling. I grabbed large paper and began to combine drips, images, portraits, text; many layers to get out the story. 

Throughout this project, I have felt angry, upset, exhausted, frustrated, and negative; as well as feeling hopeful and motivated. I do believe that Troy’s story has motivated me even more to continue to work to abolish the death penalty. I feel even stronger about advocating for the ‘other Troy Davises’. “Tonight we mourn, tomorrow we organize.”

Books showing the progression of specific pieces

A Day of Arts and Activism

Amnesty International's Northeast Regional Conference took place on November 11-12.

Education Under Fire (EUF) film screening and panel discussion
This film documented the "Iranian government's denial of the right to education for ideological and religious reasons." This film is focused around the Baha'i community and their struggle to maintain their education. After the film there was a panel discussion, moderated by Joshua Rubenstein. The panel included Dr. Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, former member of the Iranian Parliament; David Hoffman, Founder and Executive Producer of EUF initiative and documentary; Jeff Kaufman, Producer and Director EUF; Mojdeh Rohani, Graduate of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education; and Rainn Wilson, actor in The Office and a member of the Baha'i faith.

This film screening and discussion, held at MIT, was a great opportunity to share activism through the arts. The panel discusses the film, the issues, what is happening in the current communities, and expression through the arts. 

Kites for Women's Rights in Afghanistan
This action was a great creative way of sending a message. For this action, there was a kite template on a postcard. Supporters could design their own kite with a message to the US government. Message examples were: "Women must be at the peace table in Afghanistan; Don't trade away women's rights; Don't sacrifice women's rights in Afghanistan in the name of peace; or No Peace without women's rights"

 
Arts and Activism workshop

I co-facilitated this workshop with Brendan Shea, from the American Repertory Theater. We started off by discussing who we were, background on Prometheus Bound, and how we were connected to the project. The first step to the workshop was the clothesline response to Prometheus’ monologue. The monologue was read twice, and they were supposed to ask a question; questions were read aloud. The monologue was read again; this time the response was an answer to one of the questions. These responses were hung on the clothesline. Reflection discussions on each step were a key element to this workshop.

The second aspect of the workshop was the Ode to Prometheus. We split into four groups. Each person wrote two lines in their group’s Ode to Prometheus. Only one line of the Ode was visible when someone was writing. Their lines could be in response to the previous line, the monologue, the questions, or the answers from the previous section. Once completed, each group had to perform their Ode. The Odes were really wonderfully written. The style of writing without knowing what was written before added a very poetic element to the Odes.

The performances were put together so well! There was time at the end for reflection. We got great feedback from the people in the workshop. 

Scott Langley's Death Penalty Documentary Project
I have been referring to this project for inspiration all semester. At the AI NE Regional Conference, I had the wonderful opportunity to see some of the photos from this project. I also got the chance to meet Scott Langley and discuss his project, what I was working on this semester in Portfolio, and other AI topics.

For more information:
Education Under Fire:  http://educationunderfire.com/
Women's Rights in Afghanistan: 
http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-work/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/afghanistan
Scott Langley's Death Penalty Documentary Project: http://www.deathpenaltyphoto.org/index.html

Studio Progress, 21

 

"I ask to my family and friends that you all continue to pray, that you all continue to forgive. Continues to fight this fight. For those about to take my life, may God have mercy on all of your souls. God bless you all." 

-Troy Davis' last words

Studio Progress, 20

 

"With the horrific act of taking Troy Davis' life, the state of Georgia unwittingly galvanized the movement to bring down the death penalty. The miracle of this tragedy is that so many people have woken up."

-Laura Moye, director of AIUSA's Death Penalty Abolition Campaign

Studio Progress, 19

"The struggle for justice doesn't end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me. I'm in good spirits and I'm prayerful and at peace." -Troy Davis

Studio Progress, 18

A letter that Troy Davis wrote to supporters:

I want to thank all of you for your efforts and dedication to Human Rights and Human Kindness, in the past year I have experienced such emotion, joy, sadness and never ending faith. It is because of all of you that I am alive today, as I look at my sister Martina I am marveled by the love she has for me and of course I worry about her and her health, but as she tells me she is the eldest and she will not back down from this fight to save my life and prove to the world that I am innocent of this terrible crime.

As I look at my mail from across the globe, from places I have never ever dreamed I would know about and people speaking languages and expressing cultures and religions I could only hope to one day see first hand. I am humbled by the emotion that fills my heart with overwhelming, overflowing Joy. I can’t even explain the insurgence of emotion I feel when I try to express the strength I draw from you all, it compounds my faith and it shows me yet again that this is not a case about the death penalty, this is not a case about Troy Davis, this is a case about Justice and the Human Spirit to see Justice prevail.

Studio Progress, 17

So the pain begins as the music fades and I'm left here with more than I can take.  If you lift me up, just get me through this night, I know ill rest tomorrow and I'll be strong enough to try.  When the sky clears, and all is said and done, I will realize that we all need someone.  If you lift me up, just get me through this night, I know ill rest tomorrow and I'll be strong enough to try.  So when you see me crashing, and theres nowhere left to fall, will you lift me even higher to rise above this all.  If you lift me up, just get me through this night.

Tonight we mourn, tomorrow we organize.