Migration, Art, & Place: Berlin/US Impact Outcomes
Migration, Art, & Place: Berlin/US
Students in the Migration, Art, & Place: Berlin/US Lab partnered with faculty members, Christiane Reves from the School of International Letters and Cultures and Claudia Sadowski-Smith from the Department of English, to explore migrant communities at the intersection of place and identity with a focus on art as cultural expression, means of community and individual empowerment, and justice. Students engaged critically with concepts such as migration and identity, place and transnationalism, gender and race using a comparison of Berlin, Germany and Phoenix, Arizona—both places with large and diverse immigrant populations. Students were also invited to partake in a summer Global Intensive Experience (GIE) to Berlin, Germany with their co-faculty and classmates subsequent to the course. Read about their course and GIE experiences below.
Student Outcomes
Between Tradition and New Horizons: Migrant Music within the Phoenix Area
A team of seven students researched the profound impact of migration on artistic creativity and the sense of place. Interested in breaking down cultural barriers and promoting understanding by demonstrating the unifying power of music, they conducted a series of interviews with migrant musicians around the valley. In addition, they hosted a concert at the ASU Memorial Union featuring Max Tovstyi, a local Ukrainian artist known for his blues and progressive rock music with his band The Heavy Crawls.
The team aimed to showcase music as an illumination to the local dimensions of migrant experiences in the metro Phoenix area. View their outcome summary (Project 1) here.
German Migration to Arizona
This student team's final outcome examines the factors influencing German immigration to Arizona. It investigates the expectations, experiences, reasons, and influences of German immigrants. The outcome also explores the demographics of the German immigrant population in Arizona. Through a survey, the team worked to gain data-driven insights as to why Germans choose to immigrate to Arizona and provide a deeper understanding of the German immigrant community in the state. View the project here.
ASU Virtual Migration Museum
This innovative student-led team outcome showcases the migrant connections and influences on the ASU campus and the impact of migrant groups on our community at large. Showcased below are the exhibits shown in the ASU Virtual Migration Museum the team has created, and the unique connection each exhibit has with a distinct migrant group. View the project here.
Walking Tour
The Walking Tour was a part of the ASU Virtual Migration Museum outcome which consisted of an app enhanced with cutting-edge VR/AR technology. By simply scanning the QR code, you gain access to a captivating journey that seamlessly blends the physical and digital realms. As you stroll through the campus, your phone becomes a window to a world of stories about migrants, their experiences, and their community.
Comedy and Immigration
This project explores the relationship between immigration and comedy by interviewing immigrants from diverse backgrounds. The project addresses key research questions, examining how an individual's ethnic and cultural background influences their comedic experiences in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Additionally, it offers insights into the history of comedy in their respective countries and showcases current stand-up comedians. With a mission to educate and foster inclusivity, the project disseminates its findings through a website, aiming to create a more welcoming and tolerant space for immigrants. Join us as we delve into the comedic cultures of these individuals and provide a glimpse into the current state of comedy in their countries. View the project here.
Migration Murals within the Phoenix Valley
This student team designed a comparative study of migration patterns in Phoenix, Arizona, and Berlin, Germany. The diverse class composition, including German students, added a personal dimension to their research-exploration of migration. Their project addresses the limited representation of non-Latin American immigrant groups in existing research, particularly regarding Phoenix. Through the exploration of murals, their project also highlights the role of street art as community archives, capturing marginalized histories and presences. View the project here.
GIE Trip to Germany
The GIE to Berlin ran subsequent to the course, taking place from May 13-20, 2023. Students who attended explored the histories and contemporary growth in international migration through the lens of the urban center of Berlin, Germany, visiting commemorative and cultural sites associated with migration and emigration, including memorials of Jewish persecution and intra-German division. The experience allowed students to engage with politicians and representatives of the media as well as NGO's (non-governmental organizations) and community organizations that work with Turkish, Syrian, and Ukrainian migrants. This integrated experience, prompted deeper understandings of the Migration, Art and Place course research through an experience-rich global excursion.
Grants
In order to earn the funds needed to initiate these projects, our Migration, Art, & Place: Berlin/US students applied for and received the following grants:
– Bayley Helfrich, Calista Stanley, Emiliano Lahi, Justin Feldewerth, Kosta Katergaris, Mason Davis and Olivia Zeitlin were awarded an Amplifier Mini-Grant for their Between Tradition and New Horizons Migrant Music outcome.
