Hidden in Plain Site: Creative Referendums to Human Trafficking

“We enslave ourselves…by what we do…or by a self image of ourselves.
We’re slaves to the image we think people want us to be.”
-Edgar Estrella, AGHS student

It is estimated that on a yearly basis 700,000 people are smuggled into the United States from around the world. Many of those “trafficked” are young people. This project is inspired by the United Nations and addresses the phenomenon of human trafficking in general, and how it affects San Pedro specifically.

For this exhibit fifteen student artists from Angels Gate High School participated in an eighteen-week arts course facilitated by artist educator Jerri Allyn. They were asked to explore their personal relationships to issues corresponding with human trafficking, such as freedom and confinement, dominance and submission, or power over and power within.

Student artists and assistant teacher are: Christopher Alvarez, Andrew Alcaraz, Deandra Blade, Jonathon Carrillo, Jacque Culpepper, Edgar Estrella, Yasmin Garcia, Samuel Jones, Miranda Juarez, Sam Lopez, Roland Smith, Rayleen Thompson, Emily Varela, Elizabeth White, Angel Zavala and Assistant Teaching Artist, Rosanna Scimeca.

What is your relationship to freedom and confinement,
dominance and submission, or power over and power within?

Artist Installations, temporarily sited in two cargo containers, Angels Gate Park
April 26 – June 6, 2015

Artistic solutions (also known as “creative referendums”) developed by eight members of an Artist Team are framed within two cargo containers temporarily sited in Angels Gate Park overlooking the Port – an alluring metaphor given that some immigrants smuggled into the US arrive in shipping containers.

Members of the Artist Team are: Jerri Allyn, Melissa Crandall, Katelyn Dorroh, Leah Laird, Christine Palma, Sarafina Rodriquez, Leah Solo, April Williams and Erich Wise.

For information about the entire project, documentation about all of the participants art projects, and resources that address human trafficking, go to: www.hidden-in-plain-site.com

BIOGRAPHY
Jerri Allyn is interested in civic engagement. The nature of her work moves between art settings, academia and targeted communities, providing a forum for the multiple voices with whom she collaborates. Allyn creates site-oriented, interactive, new genre installations and performance art events that become a part of publiclife, and build on connections between the art world, activist organizations and others through aligned interests. Her projects often include public programs that expand on scholarly and secular concerns. Feminist Art represents one of the lineages from the 70’s that have developed “performative interactions” characterized by engagement, dialogue and social change.

Exhibitions are supported in part by Sencee Tagami, Exceptional Children’s Foundation, Department of Cultural Affairs – City of Los Angeles, Boeing Employees Community Fund, Marymount California University, Laser Cutting Shop, Aldo Puicon, Adam Gaxiola, The Getty Foundation, The Ahmanson Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, Pile Drivers, Bridge, Dock and Wharf Builders – Local Union 2375, Harbor Rose Lodge, Art Center College of Design – Photography & Imaging Department, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fed Ex office – Central Ave. Branch, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, John S. Meek Company, Historical Archive Preservation Committee, Local Union 2375, Don Wright, Phoebe Barnum, Steve Robinson, Johnny Reb’s, Buono’s Pizzeria.

Opening Reception: April 26, 2015 – 2-5pm