Installation on View at The Hangär in Mar Vista Opens Saturday, May 21
Shine the Light: An Artivist (Artist + Activist) Installation created by Wildwood 5th Graders Brings Attention to Slavery in the World Today. The installation will be on view at The Hangär furniture shop and art collective in Mar Vista through May 29. The opening reception is on Saturday May 21 from 4-7 p.m.at The Hangär, located at 3472 Centinela Ave. LA, CA 90066 (at Palms Blvd.).
There are an estimated 30 million enslaved people in the world today. Slavery is illegal in every country, yet the system still exists in 167 countries worldwide, including the United States.
As part of Wildwood’s 5th grade study of early America, students learn about the system of slavery. As systems thinkers, they are learning that systems adapt and change over time. The system of slavery is no different. Upon learning that modern-day slavery is connected to the food we eat and the products we buy, our students were outraged that so many people are in the dark about the reality of modern-day slavery. In response to this, they have been working on a design thinking project to raise awareness about the issue of modern-day slavery and labor rights abuses. They want people to know that each of us has the power to make changes in unfair systems.
“Shine the Light” is an artivist installation that combines information, education, inspiration, and action to guide the viewer toward consumer consciousness and systems analysis designed to raise awareness and compassion for people and the planet.
Displayed around a darkened space will be 40 laser-cut lamps made from wood panels with designs rendered by the students to elicit feelings and share information about modern-day slavery with an emphasis on what the viewer can do to be involved with interrupting the system. Light will shine from the cut out designs in the lamps. In the center of the room will be a table with a 3’x4′ hand-painted map of the world created by the students. Hanging from each of the 167 countries involved in modern-day slavery are bags sewn by students. Inside each bag are items that represent the top 13 products made by slave labor worldwide.
About Wildwood School
Wildwood School is a K-12 independent college preparatory school serving a diverse student body across two campuses in West Los Angeles. Wildwood’s progressive educational approach creates passionately inquisitive students who take intellectual and creative risks and seek to make a difference in the world.
