Giving Space / Changing Space
Giving Space / Changing Space is an interactive experience we created September 17, 2022 in Travers Park, Jackson Heights, Queens for residents to share how they give & change space — whether a space of emotional well-being or the physical space of a neighborhood park. In addition to sharing in conversations, participants added stories and responses exploring what space gives to them & what they give to space. Through the evening, as twilight passed, the light of the candles grew more vibrant — illuminating community evocations on joys of nature, art, running around, and being good to one another. Through marking & sharing space, we collectively explored how we transform spaces through the light of presence & participation.
Photos by Anjali Deshmukh, Purvi Shah, and Troy Woodley
What Can We Do?
In a time of anti-Asian backlash and xenophobia, art continues to serve as a force for healing, community building, and change. Anjali Deshmukh & Purvi Shah were among 30 artists to receive a $500 grant through the Asian American Arts Alliance’s inaugural program “What Can We Do?” — which supported creative projects rooted in care and support for the AAPI community in NYC. Along with the other grantee artists, we shared out project details, photos, and impacts on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 6:30-8:30 pm ET at 20 Jay St Suite 740 Brooklyn, NY 1120, the former A4 offices.