Beyond Memorial: Sacred Tools
Immanuel Oni
2023 Summer Residency
“It was the space that took my son..” These are the words of Natasha Christopher, a mother who lost her son to gun violence at a Bushwick street intersection. As a response, we highlighted the light post at the intersection of her son’s passing with his favorite color, purple. This element carries on the candle-lit theme, but cannot be easily removed. Moving beyond memorial, this light installation was one tool made "sacred", connecting us to a reality that transcends our fears. My residency project, "Beyond Memorial: Sacred Tools" builds on this theme showcasing an upgraded "sacred tool" used for reclaiming street elements for healing. Situated within Governors Island, there's also an opportunity to explore its present context, military past, and indigenous presence. As a way to move beyond the dialogue surrounding “land acknowledgment”, I explored another form of commemoration encompassing a natural element to honor indigenous culture.
People
