Remembering the Trail of Tears
The government has decided that people are forgetting what
happened to American Indians in what is called the Trail of Tears. They have put together a competition that
will be held on the 225 anniversary of the first group of American Indians
forced to leave their home. You will
compete in this competition choosing to create one of the following a memorial,
an installation art piece, an event or a miscellaneous project. Below are the requirements for each category. IN TOTAL YOUR PROJECT IS WORTH 30 POINTS
MEMORIAL:
A memorial is an object, which serves as a focus for memory
of something or someone. Examples are
plaques, sculptures, monuments, statues, fountains, or parks. (You cannot do a plaque or a park – nor can
you simply do a statue of an American Indian).
Memorials are often very symbolic in their design. For example, some Holocaust memorials include
barbed wire, symbolizing the wire used to contain them. If you choose to do a memorial you must have:
______ A well-drawn
design of your memorial (this is not a quick drawing) (15
points)
______ An
incorporated symbol that has a connection to the Trail of Tears (5 points)
______ A one-page typed
description that includes: (10 points
total)
______ HOW
and WHY you chose your design (3 points)
______ What
is your incorporated symbol and why did you choose it (5
points)
______ A
location for your memorial (where would you put it and why) (2
points)
EXAMPLES:
 |
| Resembles a weeping willow in Budapest, Hungary. On each metal leaf is a name of a Hungarian Jew who die in the Holocaust. http://www.theholocaustexplained.org/ks3/survival-and-legacy/legacy-and-memory/holocaust-memorials/#.VRnAbDvF8mc |
 |
| The memorial at Iwo Jima to remember the United States victory at Iwo Jima. The sculpture is based off of the famous picture taken the day of the victory. |
“INSTALLATION” ART:
“Installation” art is an art piece that is 3-D that can be
found within a museum or in a site-specific space. While a memorial has symbolic elements,
“installation” art is completely symbolic and raises awareness. It also can be interactive. It is art that really makes the viewer think
about what is symbolizes, but it also makes them look inward. If you choose to do an “installation” art
piece you must have:
______ A well-drawn
design of your “installation” art (this is not a quick drawing)
(15 points)
______ Symbolism (How
is it symbolic) (5 points)
______ A one-page typed
description that includes: (10 points
total)
______ HOW
and WHY you chose your design (3 points)
______
Describe how your art is symbolic and what you want your viewers to
experience (5 points)
______ A
location for your “installation” art (where would you put it and why)
(2 points)
EXAMPLES:
 |
| This is an installation art piece that represents the Japanese Internment in the United States during World War II. Many people who were Japanese or of Japanese descent on the West Coast were forced from their homes and sent to internment camps until the end of the war. This art piece is a collection of luggage tags that the Japanese had to put on their suitcases. It shows the number of people that were sent away. |
 |
| This installation art piece is in remembrance of 9/11. "In observance of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Illegal Art has marked each of the 110 floors on the sidewalk with chalk, starting at 5th Avenue and 14th Street and heading north for 1,368 feet (417 meters), the height of the taller of the two towers. Passersby, like yourself, are encouraged to walk the height of the once standing building along 5th Avenue and write any words that expresses your feeling or experience related to 9/11." http://www.examiner.com/article/heartfelt-diy-9-11-memorial-encourages-interaction |
EVENT
If you choose to do an event you would be putting together a time when people gather together to remember the Trail of Tears. But this is also not just a get together. When you create this type of event people are getting together to participate in something. For example, you could hold a drive that focuses on aspects of the Trail of Tears. If you choose to do an event you must have:
______ A colorful flyer (8 ½ x 11) inviting people to your event (15 points)
______ A schedule of the event (5 points)
______ A one-page description of the event that includes: (10 points total)
______ HOW and WHY you chose your event (3 points)
______ How your event related to the Trail of Tears (5 points)
______ A location for your event (where you have it and why) (2 points)
EXAMPLES:
 |
| For the story and what the event entails go to: http://www.freetheslaves.net/broward-college-in-florida-to-hold-free-day-long-event-to-raise-awareness-on-human-trafficking/ |
 |
| Last year, in February, the Stars in Brand held an Assyrian Arts and Music festival to raise awareness of Assyrian culture, including the Assyrian war. To read the story go to: http://www.dailynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20140226/assyrian-arts-music-events-to-raise-funds-awareness-of-culture |
MISCELLANEOUS
We know that there are those of you out there that have other talents that may not fall into the 3 categories above and we would like to give you the chance to participate as well. In this category you may: write a song (music and/or lyrics), choreograph a dance, write a spoken word poem or write a 5 minute monologue (each recorded and sent to Miss H) If you choose to participate in this category you must have:
______ A recording of the piece
______ A one-page description
______ HOW and WHY you chose this particular form of art
______ Your process in creating this art piece
______ What do you hope your audience will feel and take away from
seeing/hearing your performance
