PROSPECTUS for BIRDS FLY IN: A HUMAN REFUGE EXHIBITION
BIRDS FLY IN: A Human Refuge provides an immersive, interactive, and multimedia experience within a secular sanctuary hung with themed paintings by American artist Ellie Harold inspired by the soundtrack music of Mexican composer/violinist David Mendoza. Bird shapes first flew into Ellie Harold’s artwork as she processed the 2016 US Presidential Election. Responding to a world divided over migration and other issues, she created the humanitarian exhibit. BIRDS FLY IN: A Human Refuge offers individuals space in which to contemplate freedom from oppressive conditions, beliefs and attitudes. Along with poetry, migrant asylum seekers’ shoes and other artifacts the exhibit evokes a response that many visitors have described as “moving and powerful.”
Visitors are invited to first engage the OUTSIDE aspect of migration issues and then to make their way into a Refuge constructed of chain link. Having entered the Refuge, visitors are encouraged to be seated and contemplate the INSIDE aspect by slow looking, deep listening and creative involvement using materials provided.
Exhibition History
August-September, 2020; Oliver Art Center, Frankfort, MI. Broke all attendance records (mid-pandemic).
September-December, 2021, Dennos Museum Center, NW Michigan College, Traverse City, MI.
September-October, 2024, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee, MI
The installation comprises:
Refuge Structure. 12 panels of various-sized connected chain link, self-supporting fence panels. Minimum diameter 22’; height 12’ adjustable to available room size. Built-in seating area. Central bird cage. Signage. Ceiling of monofilament line with felted birds. Installation requires a room at least 35’ x 35’; 40’x 40’ is preferable. Complete and detailed assembly manual available.
Oil paintings. 12 large format avian-themed, intuitive/expressive abstract paintings (60 x 36inches up to 60 x 72 inches), stretched, framed, zip-tied to Refuge Structure on the inside. 6 similarly-sized paintings on raw canvas, stapled to reverse of stretched pieces, to be viewed through the chain link.
Artifacts & Poetry. Mylar sheets; shoes from asylum seekers trekking to and from the US/Mexico border; banners with poetry inspired by migration issues.
Gallery Walls. Colorful banners with ekphrastic poetry inspired by the BIRDS FLY IN art and music. Additional paintings and text tell the story of the international collaborators.
Sound. Soundtrack music plays continuously during exhibition. Sound will be directed within the Refuge Structure and staff will be able to adjust volume. Wireless SONOS system contained within built-in seating area storage. Headphones for individual use also available.
Video. 4 Short features documenting the story of Birds Fly In as well as the artist’s intuitive approach to painting.
Interactive Users Guide. Includes blank areas for written or drawn reflections. The exhibit is fully bilingual (English/Spanish).
Adjunct Programming to be developed with Community Partners. Examples of possible offerings: Artist talk: “Slow Looking/Deep Listening; panel discussion; cross-cultural community meal; short verse ekphrastic poetry writing; empowered storytelling, intuitive painting workshop ….
Full color catalogue. 116 pages. Images from the exhibition with essay by Harvard professor, Dr. Phil Deloria, curatorial essay by Jason Dake, additional text by Jim Robbins, NY Times journalist and author of The Wonder of Birds, plus artist’s Introduction and commentary, and poetry from the exhibition. Text in English and Spanish.
INSURANCE VALUE: $50,000
RENTAL: 6 weeks to 4 months exhibition run. Transportation/installation expenses. Fee is negotiable based on availability of outside funding.
CONTACT: Ellie Harold. Email: [email protected]. 231 352 6213.
