A Thousand Paper Cranes
Samantha Estrella-Boyland (Visual Art and Design)
A thousand paper cranes: constructing art into a platform for social consciousness
Art is the most sincere and honest form of history, used to express what words alone cannot document or account for. It is raw emotion coupled with astute observation of one's self and surroundings. Over time, art has proved essential to the understanding of certain events and people that may have otherwise remained obscure. When given the freedom, art can be used as a driving force in our world; bridging societal gaps and tearing down the walls set in place by institutions of race or religion, gender or class. What my exhibition aims to do is to unlock and tap into this potential by creating a project that serves as a platform for social awareness. My subject of choice is the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan in 2011. By centering my artwork around aesthetics and principles that define Japanese culture, it is my goal that the viewer embark on a journey of both appreciation, for the Japanese way of life, and reverence, for those still living in the wake of the tsunami.