By Annette Swierzbinski, Esq., edited by Jim Luce
On June 15, 2011, in the tiny Octagon Gallery on Roosevelt Island in New York City, a very special exhibition will open, “Us + Water.” A project of Others Are Us, “Us + Water” brings together drawings by young folk dancers from Dimitrovgrad, Bulgaria, working children from Dhaka, Bangladesh and students from the Child School/Legacy High School on Roosevelt Island in New York City.
The show’s evolution was driven by a discovery the Bulgarian and New York City students made when they exchanged art with their peers in Dhaka. They learned that the need to haul water for their families often prevents children from attending school and significantly perpetuates a cycle of poverty in developing countries like Bangladesh. Empathy was immediately followed by a desire to help; that is what “Us + Water” is all about.
Art work by thirteen-year old Amany Khaled of Yemen.
The young artists’ concept is to raise funds by offering their drawings in exchange for a donation of $15 or more. Their hope is that this money will enable working children in Dhaka to go to school and continue to share their lives and culture through art. “Us + Water” is about kids exploring their identity through art, identifying serious issues that impact their lives or the lives of others and planning a course of action to work towards change.
The children and youth represented in these three groups may seem to have little or nothing in common. For sure, they come from vastly different backgrounds and life experiences. But our children tend to leap over differences once they find a point of connection. They build relationships on the things they discover they share. Sometimes it is something as simple as playing soccer or having the same favorite food. It could be a love of animals and nature or the universal preference kids have for the parts of the school day that consist of lunch, gym and recess. These are the simple and happy ways kids initially connect.
Kids also come together over shared concerns like global warming, the fear of war or violence touching their lives and the conditions that prevent children from attending school because they have to work to survive. The process of sharing the simple reality of many children’s lives to discovering the harsh reality of too many children’s lives strengthens connections and causes empathy to surge. The desire to help isn’t far behind.
Art has proven to be an incredible vehicle for bringing children and youth together across language, geographic and cultural boundaries. There is no need for translation and the images generated in their exchanges speak clearly to adults as well. It can form the basis of a multi-tiered action plan, raising awareness and resources and changing minds.
The art exhibited in “Us + Water” powerfully highlights the many ways in which we are similar despite very visible differences. Children have a way of doing that. There are images portraying archetypal fears of snakes and lightening. There are universal images of princesses, fire-breathing dragons, mermaids and smiling suns. There are hopes for the future that recognize no cultural boundaries and, in fact, scarcely hint at the artist’s country of origin. There is also a lot of imagination on display that is both enjoyable and thought provoking.
“Us + Water” opens on June 15 and runs through July 4. You are invited to join us at Octagon Gallery on beautiful Roosevelt Island for a refreshing glass of water, take home a piece of art and help our kids succeed in their desire to create a world of good, one drawing at a time.
Getting water in Dhaka, Bangladesh can be part of the day-to-day ritual.
The opening reception of “Us + Water” takes place on June 15, 2011, from 5:30 until 7:30 at the Octagon Gallery, 888 Main Street, Roosevelt Island, New York.
The exhibition is hosted by the Roosevelt Island Visual Arts Association (RIVAA) and is a project of Others Are Us.
To find out more about Others Are Us or to make a donation, please visit our website or e-mail us here.
Annette Swierzbinski, Esq. is an artist, educator, and attorney who founded Others Are Us in 2002 as a response to 9/11. Others Are Us fosters communication between young people from different backgrounds and cultures, enabling them to develop a deep understanding of others and themselves. Art is the common language of the interactions. OAU also promotes children and youth as change makers in their communities and encourages them to become advocates for their rights and the kind of world they want to inherit from adults. Annette believes that the almost universally shared love of children can bring out the best in adults and inspire them to work for a world fit for our children today and in the future. As someone who loves and respects children immensely, Annette is grateful to her daughter, Chloe, for having given her the opportunity to be a mother.