Flushing Art Tours
How do residents of immigrant enclaves in America find meaning, purpose and connection to the places that we share in the present while honoring the diverse experiences and histories that make up who we are?
Flushing Art Tours sought an answer to this question by bringing out a range of different perspectives, experiences, priorities, and interests of Asian Americans regarding Flushing, NY. Additional goals of the project were for people to learn from each other, and to strengthen relationships among people and between people and place. From there communities can grow in their understanding of how a sense of cohesion exists or can be built, and what kind of collective action or awareness is needed.
In groups of 3, participants went on short walking tours around Flushing, following the prompts below. The artist recorded the experiences in a series of booklets.
1) Identify one location in Flushing that is significant to you for any reason. For example… A scar of the neighborhood, a jewel of the neighborhood, a strong personal memory, something hidden, something in plain sight.
2) Decide one way that the group will respond to your location while we are there through some sort of artmaking activity or action that will help the group think about the place differently or be able to share their thoughts and experiences with others.
Info page for Flushing Art Tour booklets
Click to view Flushing Art Tour booklets #1-3 (e-book version)
Walks were conducted 2018-2019, booklets were created 2018-2021; additional books and maps forthcoming. Printed booklets are available - contact the artist for more information.
This project was made possible in part with support from the Action Art Grant, awarded through Social Practice Queens (Queens College Art Department).
