From the Arts Up, Cultures of Resistance in NYCs Lower East Side, 1965-1983, Merrill

Dissertation Overview

• Title: From the Arts Up: Resistance Cultures of NYC's Lower East Side, 1965-1983

• Author: Emily Merrill

• University: Bowling Green State University

• Committee Members: Rebbeca J. Kinney (Chair), Crystal Oechsle, Andrew Hershberger, Clayton Rosati

• Date: August 2024

Abstract

• Purpose: To intervene into sociocultural imaginaries of NYC (1960s-1980s) through biographical, social art histories, and visual narratives.

• Focus: Examining alternative art scenes and the role of visual arts in community self-determination for immigrant communities.

• Main Communities: Puerto Rican community of Loisaida and student movements in Chinatown.

• Key Themes: Community identity, ethnic and cultural identities through grassroots arts initiatives.

Key Projects Analyzed

1. Charas - Arts collective and their geodesic dome project.

2. The Quality of Life in Loisaida - A newsletter promoting mutual struggles and community expression.

3. Muralism in Chinatown - Artists raising awareness of Asian American identity and activism.

4. Bridge Magazine - A publication representing diverse expressions of Asian American experiences.

Importance of Arts Activism

• Community Engagement: Local arts and culture programming transformed residents into activists.

• Visual Representation: Arts fostered critical consciousness and explored ethnic, racial, and cultural identities.

• Collaboration: Individuals from various backgrounds uniting for shared goals against social issues.

Methodology

• Case Studies: Focus on Loisaida and Chinatown to explore their shared experiences.

• Interviews and Archival Research: Gathering insights from community archives, artist statements, and visual histories.

Each Community's Experience

Chinatown

• Historical Context: Anti-Chinese discrimination led to the establishment of Chinatown as a refuge; community faced challenges from deindustrialization and urban crises.

• Muralism Movement: Artists collaborated to create public murals addressing community struggles and identity.

Loisaida

• Immigrant Struggles: Puerto Rican diaspora faced racial oppression and socioeconomic challenges.

• Self-Help Ethos: Community members utilized grassroots initiatives to reclaim their spaces and express their identities through the arts.

Arts Collectives and Projects

1. Charas

   • Mission: Community engagement through the geodesic dome project as a form of activism.

   • Vision: Create sustainable, affordable housing and unify members through arts education and involvement.

2. The Quality of Life in Loisaida

   • Function: A community-based newsletter as a platform for sharing local stories and struggles.

   • Impact: Contributed to identity formation and community activism through personal narratives and DIY culture.

3. The Basement Workshop

   • Role: A key collective in the Asian American Movement, enhancing representation and unity among diverse groups.

   • Projects: Created artworks that inspired activism and community solidarity across ethnic lines.

Community Outcomes

• Cultural Programs: Development of public art as activism, cultural festivals, and educational initiatives.

• Legacy of Activism: The practices laid groundwork for future movements, sustaining artistic expressions amid gentrification.

• Influence on Urban Policy: Heightened awareness around issues affecting immigrant and minority communities leading to sociopolitical change.

Conclusion

• Enduring Impact: Community arts initiatives in NYC's Lower East Side laid critical foundations for ongoing activism and representation in diverse immigrant cultures.

• Future Research Directions: Expanding studies on grassroots journalism and the visual arts' role within the Asian American Movement and broader urban studies on community identity.