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.

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