In recent weeks there has been uproar across social media and news outlets in regards to the recent news that children are being ripped away from their parents at the border and moved to what can only be considered present day internment camps. When the details came to light many people reacted in a proactive manner, starting fundraising campaigns and urging people to call their congress people and say that they support SB 3036. SB 3036 is the “Keep Families Together Act”.
With so many people speaking out about their disgust with the situation it was only going to be a matter of time until art moved to speak to protesting the travesty.
Today, Los Angeles based street artist Plastic Jesus debuted an art installation titled “Trump Hotel” at Donald Trump’s star. The art piece features a 48″ wire cage that has the gold Trump hotel logo on it in and is filled with teddy bears. The piece is intended to portray the internment of children. We attended the debut of the event and Plastic Jesus offered some insight on art piece as well as the current political situation.
I’ve been getting daily emails and social media messages from people asking me what I am gonna to do about Trump’s policy to separate families and incarcerate children and babies. Obviously I had to do something. Like so many people I found the imprisonment of children abhorrent. However it’s a very difficult subject to address in a way that doesn’t convey too much horror and sadness, and at the same time recognizes the gravity of the issue and respects the memory of those who were in Japanese Internment camps in the US or Nazi concentration camps. Hopefully this piece will not only add an artists’ perspective to the issue but will also signify the incarceration and imprisonment of children and the entrapment of innocence.
It was not a difficult piece to fabricate, comprising of a borrowed dog cage and a collection of Teddy Bears, wired into the cage. The idea of locating it on Trump’s star was an obvious one. The star is an accolade and if people realize the implications of Trump’s barbaric policies it hopefully makes people wonder why we celebrate this bigoted, racist and divisive president. I for one feel the star should be removed for his violations on human rights and promotion of racist ideas, not something Hollywood should not align with.
Once the piece was unveiled many people stopped to take note of the piece and get photos of it. It definitely did it’s part by starting conversations and causing confusion. The confusion led to bystanders stopping to get a better look at the piece to understand it. I overheard many comments from by standers including:
“That’s crazy bro!”
“What is this? — Oh, yes!”
(Via Plastic Jesus’ Instagram)
If you are struggling to start a conversation with someone regarding the travesty that immigrant families are facing at the border then show them the installation at Trump’s star on the Walk of Fame, that will open the dialogue and hopefully get more people to act. You can help end this through donations to RAICES Texas and other legal assistance programs for immigrants and their families.
