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
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.
Charas - Arts collective and their geodesic dome project.
The Quality of Life in Loisaida - A newsletter promoting mutual struggles and community expression.
Muralism in Chinatown - Artists raising awareness of Asian American identity and activism.
Bridge Magazine - A publication representing diverse expressions of Asian American experiences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.