Organizer: Others Are Us
Location: Fordham University
This event was an exhibition of student artwork from around the world. All of the artwork fell under several categories including gender, family, friendship, and peace. The students sent their pieces to students in other countries expressing their ideas and themselves. Through this type of activity, stereotypes were not only addressed and discussed, but truly thought about in a critical manner. Differences between cultures were shown, but more importantly similarities across cultures were seen giving students (and even adults) the opportunity to celebrate and accept the idea of diversity.
This would be a great organization to get involved with once becoming an educator (even before!). Having the opportunity to work with children on the ideas of peaceful conflict resolution and cooperative action through art and communication with children from countries around the world is a fantastic way to spread empathy and understanding.
I leave you with a poem written by one of the students that sums up what the event was truly all about:
"World Peace"
When a big animal
Will be next to a small animal
They will not fight
And clothes will grow on trees
10 comments:
The poem is too cute.
This definitely sounds like a organization that teachers could involve themselves in. I think it really shows the notion of all of us being equal no matter where we come from and how we look; which could be connected to multicultural education.
I am a big fan of creative arts expression for deeper understanding, and I agree with you that such activities can get students and even us adults to think in a critical manner; which is always great.
I love how this organization allows students to express themselves through art. I think that teachers often forget how artistic expression can really help a student to show their understanding. I think it is good for students to realize that even though we all come from different backgrounds we are still equal. Still, as evidenced by the poem students understand that this equality does not always exist. In other words, in some communities people of certain backgrounds will be treated differently. I hope to look into this organization more deeply to see how it can aid in my own classroom.
This is very interesting! So if I understand correctly, each of the categories (i.e. friendship) has artwork from various parts of the world? I am curious to see what this looks like! Artistic expression can manifest itself in so many different ways, I wonder how various cultures perceive, understand, and interpret each of these categories. Were there any striking differences in the artwork that you recall?
I think that the purpose behind this organization is great. Its one thing for us to hear from a secondary source about the conditions and values of another country. Its something totally different and more meaningful when it comes directly from people of that given country. I think exposing children to this is a great way for them to see the similarities that exist amongst other children all over the globe. I think its also good for students to view what other children around the world perceive about American children and just having them see varying perspectives. I would definitely be interested in following this organization.
When language may be a barrier between cultures, art and shared fears and dreams can bridge this barrier. It is so cool how students from around the world had color-coded art to express themselves to each other, and in doing so, express similarities and differences between cultures. I think it is powerful to a child to have a positive and deep communication with children from other cultures. It sets the stage to a life of accepting and celebrating diversity, and finding a common ground within humanity.
I love the concepts raised about bridging the gap through the use of artistic expression. I think that this concept of equality among people is only to door to more conversation about the differences between equality and equity, a perfect way to discuss power relationships in society. This sounds like an incredible exhibit that provoked critical thinking, which has inspired me to continue looking into this! Thanks!
I agree with everyone that this sounds like a wonderful organization. I think it's great that it goes international. It further enforces the idea that similar things occur around the world and ties together different communities. I'm a fan of going out to the global community so this is something I'd definitely like to look into!
I wanted to go to this event so badly but ended up having to work later... it sounds like it was amazing! That poem is awesome - it's so profound! I think that expression through any form of art is so important for human beings, especially children. Sometimes it can be so hard to express yourself through words and it just seems right to do it through art. Art often allows us to think about things on a deeper and more critical level, which is what we want our students to ultimately be able to do.
It sounds like this would be a wonderful exhibit to take students to because they can see others their own age discussing deep and important issues such as peace through mediums other than spoken language. I believe that it would inspire them to do the same!
This exhibit sounds awesome! I love that children created this art and sent it to other children around the world. They are sending messages to each other in a language we can't even understand anymore. They are learning to appreciate and embrace different cultures. I wish that I had been able to see this!
That poem is adorable. It also speaks volumes. That child is selfless. They are not only wishing peace from their own point of view, but to aide others as well.
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