Give Me Eyes Project

As a child did you ever go on a scavenger hunt or navigate a compass course? I enjoyed both. These good memories helped shape my upcoming show in Carrboro, North Carolina. In May 2006 I will hide six blue boxes in store fronts surrounding the ArtsCenter. Each box will contain reproductions of a series of paintings I have done in collaboration with undocumented workers living in North Carolina. These paintings share a narrative they helped me construct about illegal immigration.

When a participant finds a box they will be able to collect two images in the series. Inside the lid of each box are clues, some written in Spanish, others in picture form only. (Stumped participants will be able to call me for additional help.) Finding all six boxes reveals the full 12 image narrative. All the boxes are hidden in businesses close to The ArtsCenter and I estimate it will take two people working together about an hour to find all 6 boxes.

Why hide art like this? I have a couple of reasons. One is that many people enjoy participatory activities that engage and challenge them. I am very interested as an artist and teacher in pushing people just past their comfort zones and challenging them to learn something new. In making the viewer search for something they desire while struggling with an unfamiliar language of Spanish or imagery, I hope to replicate in a small way the challenges that immigrants face in coming to this country.

To participate simply find instructions on beginning in any of the blue boxes. I will place boxes out May 1st. You can also come into The ArtsCenter to pick up instructions. Participants who find all 12 images and turn their name and address in at The ArtsCenter will receive a small prize and a thank you card from me.

Table of Honor Banner

A Table of Honor to Mexican Immigration inside The ArtsCenter will provide an anchor to the Hidden Art Walk. For this project I am inviting community members to bring in tributes to friends and loved ones that have immigrated from Mexico. The media does such as good job spotlighting the negative angles on Mexican immigration, I hope this project will bring focus to the positive aspects; the loving relationships, friendships, and the workplace camaraderie that have formed between Mexican Immigrants and North Carolina natives. Photographs of immigrants with art they have made expressing their experiences with immigration will hang above the table. Anyone may bring a flower, a card, or other item to place on the table.

The genesis for this table of honor came from Mexican born friends I have made and the overwhelming hospitality I experienced in Mexico last summer.

Making art with new friends in Celaya, Mexico

The table of Honor also made an appearance at the Latino Forum at UNCG.

Images from the Hidden art walk in Carrboro, NC.

A participant reads the instructions for the Hidden Art Walk.

The blue boxes were hidden in 5 different stores in the community surrounding the Arts Center. Here one of the boxes is hidden in plain sight. (White arrow added.)

Maybe not as sweet as the candy surrounding it, but just as much fun. Here a blue box hides in plain sight at a Hispanic food store.

COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS:

" Hey Hola!..... We did it! We found all 12 cards and laid them out and understood the journey in the art cards was similar to our journey. We had a lot of fun."

"While walking around Carrboro we met all sorts of people who were willing to help us find clues, find businesses. "

"We wish there were many more boxes and clues because we could have done this all day!"

-- Meg y Nicole

" I teach ESL at an elementary school in Alamance and I really appreciated your images. They represent the experience of many of my families. Thank you."

" I did this for a project at UNC. It was a great experience! Thanks!

-- Sarah

"Just completed your art walk. Love the pictures and the idea is GREAT. Scavenger hunts are so fun. You should repeat this again in the future."

-- Tara

Tara read my mind, I hope to bring the hidden art walk to other locations. If you are interested in bring this project and / or the Table of honor to your community contact me at the e-mail link below.

Todd Drake was a 2005 Rockefeller Fellow at the University Center for International Studies at UNC. He currently teaches art history at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Contact him at todd@tdrake.com or call 336-253-2328 for more information.