THE WALL SPEAKS - VOICES OF THE UNHEARD
March 31 to May 29, 2017: POP-UP MUSEUM. We are hosting Wojtek Sawa's "The Wall Speaks - Voices of the Unheard" an internationally renowned multimedia exhibition, combining Art & History. Entry donation is pay-what- you-will, suggested is $5-20.
About the Exhibition
“The Wall Speaks – Voices of the Unheard” is an internationally renowned exhibition, combining Art & History. For the months of April & May 2017, the community space, Bank Suey, will become a pop-up museum, its entire 2,000 sq. ft. hosting the immersive experience.
“The Wall Speaks” is an interactive multimedia exhibition that makes use of history to draw viewers into sharing contemporary experiences of marginalization and abuse.
During World War II, over 1 million Polish children lost their lives to the aggression of German and Soviet invaders. Today millions of kids in the Middle East have lost their homes, families and schools. They are statistics. This exhibition aims to give them a voice.
“The Wall Speaks” creator, Wojtek Sawa, chose to bring the exhibition to Hamtramck specifically as “the meeting place of past and present America, home to diverse marginalized immigrant communities. Hamtramck exemplifies opportunities and challenges presented by a multicultural city, the only U.S. city with a majority-Muslim city council. ” “The Wall Speaks” exhibition creates a meeting ground for people to share their experiences and stories, and offers opportunity for interaction between communities often estranged from each other. “The Wall Speaks” exhibition is co-created by its viewers.
“The Wall Speaks” and Bank Suey are also partnering with Wayne State University, Muslim-Jewish Forum of Detroit, Friends of Polish Art, Syrian-American Medical Association, the Polish American Congress, the City of Hamtramck, the Detroit City Futbol Club and other institutions. During the exhibition, The Wall Speaks & Bank Suey will also present weekly events featuring art, music, lectures and community discussions.
The Wall Speaks opens at Bank Suey (10345 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck MI, 48212) on March 31, 2017 at 7p. The exhibition will run from Friday March 31, 2017 through Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2017.
What People Are Saying:
QUOTES:
“...By placing the stories of children, whose voices were unheard, in a contemporary context, you draw the audience into a dialogue. You ask the viewer to contemplate today’s world: immigrants, members of religious and ethnic communities, molested children...and others who suffer from being treated as less than fully human...It is important that we remain aware that communities of people are being mistreated today, and that we need to build bridges to make their members feel welcome to speak with a voice of their own.”--Illinois congressman, Mike Quigley
“The Wall Speaks” has been uniquely popular...visitors have been captivated by the interactive components of this aesthetically beautiful exhibition...Exhibitions like this teach us more than simple facts. They remind us how dangerous it is to divide the world into us and them. This exhibition reminds us we are all human beings with the same wants, needs and dreams...Our hope when we invited “The Wall Speaks” was that it would spur new connections to people of the past as well as give hope for the future. It has been remarkably successful on both fronts.”--Florida Holocaust Museum director, Elizabeth Gelman
Programming & Events
Throughout the exhibition The Wall Speaks and Bank Suey are curating a series of discussions, events, and workshops around the themes of marginalized voices and bridging communities. Check back as more programs will be added!
Please check out the events page for all upcoming Bank Suey programming, including "The Wall Speaks" related events!
Get Involved
Wayne State Student Internship Opportunity
If you are a WSU Student, you may be elligble to participate in The Wall Speaks as an internship for college credit! Internship: The Wall Speaks Project, Spring 2017, Can be taken as GLS 5500 (3 CR) or POL 3990 (1-3 CR) Learn more on WSU's site here!
Volunteer!
Fill out our volunteer form to help us with this world renowned exhibition! A few things we need help with: setting up exhibition, docent work at the exhibit , community outreach, help in organizing accompanying events, working with schools. media & public relations, etc! The google form link is here!
