WINGS of WITNESS is a massive project of memory and
creativity, which uses an art form to foster human decency, and to
build a prodigious community of
participants. Through the environmentally based
activity of recycling millions of tabs into these monumental works of
art, Schrier's work continues. JOIN THE WINGS OF WITNESS STUDIO WITHOUT WALLS, by bringing
project workshops to your community.
OPENING PRESENTATION:
The program begins with a 30 minute (auditorium) presentation tracing the
origin of the project to its roots in the Holocaust.
After a brief introduction to the Holocaust, I acquaint the students with
the activity of Raoul Wallenberg, and I describe how my research for the
Wallenberg memorial commissioned by the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance
in LA, led to my conception of WINGS of WITNESS. I narrate a powerful story
told to me by Wallenberg’s (then) young photographer, a hero in his own
right.
Ideas of humans as symbol makers are explored; language, alphabets, and the
arts, as a way of leading up to how discarded can tabs can numerically
represent lost lives destroyed by inhumanity. How the project relates to the
victimization of other minorities at other times in history dovetails with the
environmental aspect of the project; the recycling of soda can tabs,
transforming waste to meaning.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS:
For the subsequent 40 minute hands on workshops, the students adjourn to a
workspace with tables and chairs. The workshops can be scheduled back-to-back
50-150 students each, depending on availability of adult support. Adult
helpers with teachers are needed in a ratio of 8 per 50 participants. I
demonstrate to the students and helpers how the tab feathers are to be
constructed. Students, working in pairs, receive a baggie filled with tabs and
an aluminum wire. The students string the tabs onto their wire in a manner
similar to stringing beads. While the students work, I demonstrate to the
adult helpers the method of weaving rods through the columns of tabs that the
students are making. The adults receive partially completed feathers to
practice on. As the students complete the stringing of the tabs, the trained
adult helpers fan out and assist each pair of students, demonstrating how to
weave the rods through the wired columns of tabs, so the students can complete
the "feathers" on their own.
To recognize workshop participants, signatures are collected on pages
displayed at project exhibitions. Empty baggies are refilled with loose tabs
for upcoming workshops. Completed feathers are counted and packed into
cartons. Participants are asked for responses. Students who elect to create
their own works of art in response (visual art, poems or short stories) may
have that work chosen for inclusion in the project web site or in upcoming
exhibits. The completed feathers are shipped for storage until the subsequent
project installation.
On-Site Construction of WINGS of WITNESS:
Schools participating in workshops are offered the opportunity of sending
students to the venue where WINGS of WITNESS is to be assembled. Thus,
students can have the direct experience of helping to build the memorial at
the exhibition site.
