Activism in Art: 7th Grade Trip

To honor activists spreading their messages in art, on April 5th the 7th graders took a trip to the Brooklyn Museum to explore the world of activism in art. We saw pieces about global warming, support for victims of Hurricane Katrina, etc. Our guides on the trip took us through the Brooklyn Museum while speaking on the deeper meaning of the artworks and the viewpoints being shown about the current state of America. 

One project we saw in the Brooklyn Museum was the “Fundred Reserve.” The artist, Mel Chin, learned about the kids in New Orleans that had experienced lead poisoning in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the second worst hurricane in modern-day history. During that time, the government was providing the people of New Orleans with little to no help. Chin felt like he needed to help in some way and show that he cared so he created his project the Fundred. In the Fundred Dollar Bill Project, people create a currency to show that they care about the people of New Orleans. Stacks of these fundred dollar bills are laid out on a podium, and the stacks grow each year as more and more people create their contributions. Mel Chin still comes into the Brooklyn Museum to bring more Fundreds, even after 17 years. 

Another project we saw in the Brooklyn Museum was the piece, Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps painted by Kehinde Wiley. In the painting we see a black man, Kehinde Wiley, who is in the spot where Napoleon Bonaparte would be in the classical painting Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David. The piece made in 2005 as a part of the Rumors of War series was made as a response to the Iraq War and how the United States was handling it. The purpose of Wiley’s art was to show marginalized voices in a different light that hasn’t been shown in these types of pieces, in a narrative where Black people are the main characters, the person fighting the bad guys, the person who’s strong and powerful. Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps is often considered as one of Wiley’s most quintessential works. 

The Brooklyn Museum holds these works and many other pieces that express messages that challenge society and make you think. Going to the Brooklyn Museum is free of charge and showcases people with points of views that you may have not thought about before. It’s located on 200 Eastern Parkway and showcases several exhibits about all forms of art from fashion to films.