|
When it first conceived its “Living in America” series, New York’s American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) decided to treat the series as an extension of its ongoing “Meeting God” exhibition. But then came September 11th, the date that forever altered nearly every aspect of New York life. And for the museum’s program designers, it became a chance to tell the stories of some cultures negatively affected by the tragedy.
Elaine Charnov, director of public programming in the Education Department of AMNH, says the new series, which focuses on Arab, South Asian and Muslim communities this year, is far from being a “flavor of the month. It’s a great opportunity for cultural community groups to hear some of the stories that are not represented in the mainstream media.”
The museum launched the ongoing series this month to explore “a nation of many cultures, focusing on how our differences are a fundamental strength that we share, as well as an ongoing challenge that too often divides us,” as stated on the AMNH web site. Charnov says the series will spend a month every year addressing cultures, communities and concerns that become prevalent through city, national and international events.
Art shows, films, panel discussions, poetry readings and concerts from a variety of cultures, including Arab, Indian, Pakistani, Middle Eastern and Afghani, are all on tap for this month. Audience participation has been good thus far, Charnov says. The museum staff worked from September to November putting together the 16 eclectic programs. “It was a breakneck speed,” she adds.
Many of the museum’s program staff worked with community groups throughout New York City and internationally to develop an array of exhibitions that reach across all the cultures, Charnov says. “That’s our role, to be talking with people, to have our finger on the pulse.”
Charnov is especially looking forward to one of the last programs, a film and panel exhibition on the “Ethnic Neighborhoods of New York City from Brooklyn to Queens.” One film, “Turbans,” focuses on the Sikh tradition of wearing turbans here in America. Another film, “Tales from Arab Detroit,” tells the stories of the large Arab and Muslim community in the Detroit/Dearborn area of Michigan.
“Hearing people’s personal stories, that is the absolute way for all of us to learn and respect other’s histories,” Charnov says. “That’s something you can’t do reading a book, watching a television series or through web communications.”
The following is a partial list of some of the programs scheduled this month in the AMNH’s “Living in America” series. For more information, visit www.amnh.org.
Friday, January 25
Performance: Words in Action! 6:30 p.m.
Arab and Afghan American poets grace the audience with “the strength and passion of spoken word” followed by music, humor, and theater by South Asian League of Artists in America (SALAAM). Performers include Saladin Ahmed, Hayan Charara, D'Lo, Zohra Saed, Betty Shamieh, and Jeet Thayil. This program is co-presented by Radius of Arab American Writers Inc. (RAAWI) and SALAAM.
Saturday, January 26
Film & Panel: Voices of Muslims in the City of Diversity 2:00 p.m.
Immediately following the film, speakers will offer personal insights on the ways that American Muslims have influenced, and been influenced by, the social and cultural life of New York City. Panelists include Aisha Al-Adawiya, Director, Women in Islam; Debbie Almontaser, educator, NYC Board of Education; Raymond Rodriguez-Romero, representative, Alianza Islamica; Zaheer Uddin, Executive Director, Center for American Muslim Research & Information. Moderator: Louis Abdellatif Cristillo, Field Director, Muslim Communities in New York City, Columbia University, N.Y. Co-sponsored by Women in Islam.
Performance: Music and Dance of the Arab World 5:00 p.m.
The Oud Men Ensemble performs traditional Arab music including Lebanese, Palestinian, and Turkish and accompanies a performance of Egyptian dance. The Oud Men Ensemble is composed of members of Simon Shaheen Newar East Music Ensemble (NEME), recipient of the 1994 National Heritage Award.
Workshop: Arabic Rhythms 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
Reservations recommended. Limited to 16 participants (ages 6 and up). Musicians Taoufiq Ben Amor and Johnny Farraj demonstrate Arabic percussion instruments and teach common Arabic rhythms.
Sunday, January 27
Films & Panel: Ethnic Neighborhoods of New York City from Brooklyn to Queens 2:00 p.m.
“Turbans”
Erika Andersen, Filmmaker; Carol Ruiz and Erika Andersen, Producers, 1999, 30 min.
Wearing turbans, a sacred Sikh tradition, identifies the American-born the Singh boys as outsiders in the prejudiced landscape of Astoria, Oregon, circa 1918.
“Tales from Arab Detroit”
Joan Mandell, director; Sally Howell and Joan Madnell, co-producers, Access and Olive Branch Productions, 1995, 45 min. (15 min. excerpt)
“In My Own Skin: The Complexity of Living as an Arab in America”
Nikki Byrd and Jennifer Jajeh, co-directors, 2001, 16 min. The film explores identity politics through interviews with 5 young Arab women living in post 9-11 New York.
Following the films, members of the Arab community of Brooklyn and the Sikh and Indo-Caribbean neighborhoods of Queens will speak about their respective histories. Panelists: Ienderjit Singh, Executive Director, South Asian Community Council in Queens; Gary Girhardi, Editor, Guyana Journal; and Emira Habiby Browne, Executive Director, Arab American Family Support Center. Moderator: Roger Sanjek, Professor of Anthropology at Queens College, City University of New York and author of The Future of Us All: Race and Neighborhood Politics in New York City.
Tales from Arab Detroit 4:30 p.m.
Joan Mandell, director; Sally Howell and Joan Madnell, co-producers, Access and Olive Branch Productions, 1995, 45 min. An Arab American community center brings an Egyptian poet to perform a 1,000-year-old epic. The result is a familiar American tale: parents trying to pass on cherished traditions and language, while their children are at home in a world of McDonald's and MTV. With mesmerizing imagery, humor and warmth, “Tales from Arab Detroit” blends voices, poetry, song and dance into everyday stories of cultural conflict and resilience within the largest Arab community in North America.
Workshop: Stained Glass Windows 1:00 p.m.
Reservations recommended. Limited to 16 participants (ages 8 and up). Watfa Shama teaches participants how to create small "stained glass windows" imitating the early Arab art form in which pieces of glass are set into delicately carved filigreed stucco.
Workshop: Mehndi 3:00 p.m.
Reservations recommended. Limited to 16 participants (ages 10 and up). Kavita Vyas demonstrates the uses of mehndi in religious rituals, and wedding ceremonies, and as body art. Participants create designs on their hands using a henna cone.
|
