Migration, Art, Place: US/GER Impact Outcomes
Migration, Art, Place: US/GER
Students in the Migration, Art, Place: U.S./Germany Lab, part of the UNESCO BRIDGES Flagship Hub series of Humanities Labs, partnered with co-faculty Claudia Sadowski-Smith, professor of English and American studies as well as Christiane Reves, assistant teaching professor and lower division coordinator in the German program at the School of International Letters and Cultures. The instruction team additionally included Mimmo Bonanni, social sciences and Italian language and culture librarian at ASU Library. Together the team explored how migration shapes cultural expression and community building in Berlin and Phoenix. Focusing on sustainable community development, climate change, and the forces driving migration, students examined the role of migration in shaping communities in both cities. The lab culminated in outcomes that engaged local and migrant communities, exploring issues of justice and social change.
Humanities Week: Scavenger Hunt at the ASU Art Museum with Migration Related Themes
As part of The College's Humanities Week celebration, students, faculty, staff and the general public were invited to "Step into the Future of Innovation at the Humanities Lab!" ASU's Art Museum created a curated scavenger hunt event for lab students and guests designed to be more than just a showcase of art exhibits. With migration-related themes the event aimed to serve as a testament to the transformative power of the humanities. Students traversed the museum learning about migration from an art-based perspective.
Connecting with a Global Community
On a early-October afternoon, students in the Migration, Art Place: U.S. /Germany Lab hosted German high school teachers from the Atlantik-Brücke organization for insightful discussions. Their conversations spanned topics ranging from migration within the education system to language and the culture of immigrants.
Student Outcomes
From Border to Plate: Mexican Cuisine in Arizona
This outcome examines the cultural significance of Mexican migration to Arizona through the lens of food. Students partnered with local restaurant owners, chefs, and families to document how Mexican cuisine has become integral to Arizona’s cultural landscape. By exploring the culinary traditions brought by migrants, the project highlighted food as a bridge that fosters community connections, preserves cultural identity, and promotes cross-cultural exchange. Through interviews and fieldwork, students revealed the ways Mexican food has transformed Arizona’s gastronomic scene while reflecting broader migration patterns and cultural fusion. View the project here.
Rhythms of Migration – Indian and Mexican Dance Journeys in the U.S.
Three students from the Lab teamed up to explore how Mexican and Indian migrants use traditional dance forms like Ballet Folklórico and Indian classical dance to preserve cultural heritage and foster community in the U.S. By highlighting the role of dance in shaping identity, their work elucidates how migrants honor their cultural roots and bridge the gaps of distance with the the arts. Interviews with key figures, music playlists, and cultural events showcase the ongoing relevance of these traditions. Their research outcome deepens understandings of migration, cultural preservation, and the arts’ role in diaspora communities. Learn more here.
A Thousand Words: A Display of Latina Muralists in Arizona
Highlighting the work of Latina muralists in Arizona, a student trio homed in on the artists' migration experiences and how they used murals to convey their own cultural struggles, identities, and to illustrate perseverance. Through interviews with first, second, and third-generation Latina artists, the project explores how personal and cultural narratives shape their art. Murals, as a form of public storytelling, serve to connect communities, reflect cultural heritage, and address issues of migration and integration. Featuring artists Laura Thurbon, Diana Calderon, and Alejandra Trujillo, the research outcome showcases how murals become powerful tools for expressing identity, bridging cultural gaps, and fostering unity within immigrant communities. View the project here.
Migrant Spaces: The Art of Belonging
This outcome examines how migrant communities in Arizona and beyond use art and architecture to preserve heritage and foster belonging. Indian migrants connect through Bharatanatyam dance and temple architecture, while Mexican murals blend cultural motifs to narrate resilience. German immigrants contribute through monuments like the Lost Dutchman’s Monument, and Malaysian migrants maintain traditions like the Kaamatan Festival.
By exploring these cultural expressions, the work highlights how migrant art and architecture preserves identity and bridges cultural divides, enriching Arizona’s diversity. View this project here.
The Culture of Street Art and Migration
This exploration into the arts examines how migrant experiences shape street art, highlighting personal and cultural narratives in Phoenix’s murals. Migrant artists like Annie Gonzalez and Douglas Martinez use public spaces to tell stories of resilience, identity, and community, transforming urban landscapes into powerful expressions of cultural heritage and social commentary. Featuring interviews and local case studies, the project underscores street art’s role in reflecting migration’s challenges and triumphs, fostering connection, and celebrating diversity. View the project here.
Migration Melodies: A Shared Symphony of Identity and Change
A team of four students examined how music shapes migrant identity, builds community, and bridges cultures. They highlight genres like Gastarbeiter Musik in Germany and the contributions of German immigrants to U.S. music, showcasing music’s role in preserving heritage and fostering integration. A Spotify playlist and local cultural initiatives underscored music’s power to connect and inspire across migration experiences. View the project here.
Collaborative Partners
- Franka Ellman, Director of Programs and Transatlantic Partnerships | Leiterin Programme und Transatlantische Partnerschaften Atlantik-Brücke e.V.
- Dr. Mark Tebeau, SHPRS
- Sierra Ochoa, ASU Art Museum