IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT BARS & BORDERSART PROJECT

Until We Are All Free is a new project to imagine and create a world in which all people are truly free - free of bars, free of borders, and free of violence and injustice - to live with dignity and self-determination. Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with messages about criminals through the media that it’s hard to imagine alternatives to these systems of punishment. In this exercise, you will learn how to see, feel and create in a different way, while paying attention to small details that connect you to other people’s humanity.

PART 1: WHAT DO YOU SEE?These three images were developed with the purpose of showing what happens when human beings are FREE - not in cages or in prison cells or in detention centers. Look at each image silently for 1 full minute, then answer the corresponding questions next to each image. You can do this individ-ually or in a group.

Questions for Image #1:

1. Can you describe how the child in this im-age feels? What do her hands tell you?

2. How would you describe the way the father feels?

3. What is in the background? What is in the foreground? What do these two symbols mean?

4. What other living things do you see? What word describes their movement?

Image #1. Art by Crystal Clarity

Questions for Image #2:

1. What is the large bird figure doing in this image? How do you think this bird feels?

2. Describe what you see.

3. What do you see in the ocean? What do you think it means?

4. Where do you think this is?

Image #2. Art by Jess X. Chen

Questions for Image #3:

1. What expression does this character have on their face?

2. What do you notice about the shapes in the background? What do you think they mean?

3. What do you think the the sharp edges on the shapes symbolize?

4. Why do you think the artist chose these colors for the character?

Congratulations, you have just trained yourself on how to view images in a deeper way. Now it’s time to make your own image. Grab some colored markers, and on the next sheet, draw an image of what Freedom looks like to you. Time yourself and spend 15 minutes on it. Remember to think about shape, color, and symbolism.

Bonus Points: Can you think of a good animal or insect metaphor for Freedom?

Image #3. Art by Favianna Rodriguez

PART 2: CREATE YOUR OWN IMAGE!

Draw an image of what Freedom looks like to you.

FREEDOM

Feels like…

Sounds like…

Looks like…

Smells like…

Tastes like…

Now it’s time to put words to your idea. Fill in the short poem below and share with your group, friends or family.

PART 3: CREATING YOUR OWN POEM