Chanika Svetvilas "Journeys"
Brooklyn Public Library (Central)
This event has ended.
In this site-specific installation, I have transformed the space covering the walls with ubiquitous plastic plaid tote bags made in China called "hong lan dan" (blue and red bag). They are also known by other various names including the Guyanese Samsonite in Trinidad, Tuekenkoffer or Turkish suitcase in Germany, Bangladeshi bags in England, "Ghana must go bag" in Nigeria, "Efiewura Sua Me" or "help me carry my bag" in Ghana, refugee bag, and Chinatown tote, in U.S. urban areas. Here I have lined the pockets with silver and gold representing the hopes and dreams to come - empty to be filled or disillusions of unfulfilled promises.
Included in the space, suitcase sculptural expressions, created with mixed media and found objects refer to the socioeconomic relationships of border crossing and aspirations for a new homeland. These suitcases also echo the intersections between consumers, labor, and globalization.
[Image: Chanika Svetvilas “The Grass Is Greener, detail”]
Media
Schedule
from June 17, 2008 to November 01, 2008