iN+GraiN EXHIBIT
INSTALLATION
COMPLETE!
The installation process—all that jack hammering, concrete pouring, lifting and knocking—generated quite a bit of excitement in the community. All the blood, sweat, and tears (yes, we mean them literally!) were redeemed instantly with every nod of approval, every thumbs up and smile from people in the neighborhood passing by, as giant pictures depicting everyday lives in the community began to go up. Thanks to all the students who created the images, and all the volunteers who helped out! Click here for exhibit map and artist's statement.
"It (iN+GraiN) is spiritual, artistic, and truly inspiring. It helps to recapture the value of our community and promotes a sense of pride because this work was created by, for and about us through the eyes and minds of our children."
-Dajahn Blevins,Community Organizer/ Activist/ Artist, Urban Warrior
THE GREATEST AjA EVENT OF ALL TIME!
On Friday August 24th, more than 150 supporters gathered at the Museum
of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park for AjA’s multi-media presentation
and silent auction fundraiser to celebrate, discuss, and engage in the
unveiling of our 2007 public exhibit, iN+GraiN.
The museum atrium sprung to life as guests arrived and made their way
around the room to view the silent auction, make numerous rounds to
the open bar and jam to live music from the post-rock art-punk space-jazz
fusion band. On the atrium wall a projected time-progressed video of
the iN+GraiN exhibit site on Euclid Avenue injected an atmosphere that
is distinctly AjA: urban and grassroots. For the remainder of this
article, click
here.
>>>At the end of the night, Eric Woods, Executive Director of Africa Aid, was the lucky top bidder for this coveted photograph on auction.
Myanmar/Burma in Turmoil
MINI UPDATES
* San Diego-based Instructor Andrew Rae left for Thailand in August for six months as a teacher in the Record of Truth Program.
* Fall classes kicked off last week with its usual craziness. Currently we have the largest enrollment in the Journey Program to date.
* The Journey Program's End of Semester Celebration promises to be a large festive affair, as we are combining all of the classes for one event at the Malcolm X Library on December 5 at 5pm. All welcome!
* A handful of collaborations have opened up this fall with organizations like transcenDANCE and Project Concern. Be on the lookout for future information on our creative products. (We're excited!)
Our thoughts are with the people of Burma (Myanmar)
as the military dictatorship continues its arrests and violent crackdown
of the pro-democracy protests. The protests represent hope for a resolution
to the conflicts that have already caused the displacement and suffering
of tens of thousands of people, many of whom we work with at the Mae
La Oo Refugee Camp in Thailand through the Record of Truth program.
Here in San Diego a large group of ethnic Burmese and Karen refugees
have recently been resettled and several students are participating
in our Journey program. We hope to help them with their difficult process
and to help bring a sense of connection to those they left behind.
