We Should Talk: The Greatest Poem

The Greatest Poem is the first in a series of multi-media art installations and programs called We Should Talk in which multi-disciplinary Asian American women artists create space to explore the nuances and complexities of what it means to be an Asian American woman. We Should Talk is led by curator and artist Philippa Pham Hughes and artists Adele 이슬 Kenworthy and Xena Ni. We apply an aesthetic of care and delight to creating relational spaces in which we share deeply and honestly, learn from one another, explore, and flourish together. The Greatest Poem features the paintings and poetry of Thu Anh Nguyễn, a short, animated film produced by Philippa Pham Hughes called The Greatest Poem, and expressions of Asian American identity from AAPI women across the country that have been turned into found poems by Thu Anh. Adele and Xena’s programs will follow in Spring 2024.

“A powerful project, “The Greatest Poem,” expands from considering the Asian American women’s experience to all who followed the road that led to this country, leaving behind all that shaped us—feeling here, there, but often in between. Philippa’s animated film explores the concept of identity with touching honesty. Along with the colorful flower mural, the exhibition sends a message of hope and optimism. So, yes, let’s all talk!” Maria Karametou

Hey, We Need To Talk

In partnership with the Ann Arbor City Clerk’s Office, the Creative Campus Voting Project is collaborating with UMMA to turn your art museum into an election hub — register to vote, get your ballot, access voting resources, and celebrate participation. In addition, visiting artist Philippa Hughes will host a dynamic and deeply engaging series of experimental social events across UMMA’s galleries, creating space for authentic and honest conversations between politically diverse people.

Treehouse

Treehouse was a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, interactive art experience inviting people into a space of beauty that encouraged wonder about the world and each other. We asked people to Imagine a world in which we could all flourish and connect to nature and one another. We created a portal for reflection, reconnection, remembrance, and dialogue.

“It is stunning. I was refreshed to have the quiet time to explore, after our animated conversation.” -Annie Storr

The Greatest Poem

Walt Whitman believed that the power of poetry and democracy are derived from their capacity to make a unified whole from diverse and sometimes contradictory parts. He said, “The United States are the greatest poem.” As a Hybrid American who contains multitudes, I see myself reflected in Whitman’s words and those words inspired me to write “The Greatest Poem,” a declaration of what it means to me to be American, to be human, to be a poem. This film was commissioned by Shanara Gabrielle and Arena Stage and directed by Elyse Kelly. My words were brought to life by 20 amazing artists.

“It should be shown at schools everywhere. My daughter’s elementary school just had a World Bazaar to celebrate the many nations that are present at their school through heritage and it was just wonderful to see how all of these nations could be in the same room and also all be American.” -Sandy Janeczek

• District Dreamers Film Fest, 2023

• Florida Film Festival, 2023

• DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival, 2022

• London International Animation Festival, 2022

• Mixed Asian Media Festival, 2022

• Viet Film Festival, 2022

Looking for America

What does it mean to be American? How do different communities—in the Midwest, at the border, in cities and in rural areas—answer that question? Across the United States, we’re inviting local artists and community members of all backgrounds and political stripes to come together to share their stories and perspectives.

“As you may imagine, the installations sparked conversation, laughter, mirth and some contention. In other words, it was a success!” -Curator Erica Marin at the El Paso Museum of History

Blueberries & Cherries

Blueberries + cherries invites politically diverse guests to break bread and talk to each other face-to-face over a home cooked meal. the goal: to understand the things that influence our votes and to find ways to bridge the vast ideological gap that plagues our country. we engage in civil discourse that is unfiltered by the lens of political punditry and by the anonymity and bias of social media.

Hello, Neighbor!

Residents of Southwest tell their own stories of life in their neighborhood in this series of video portraits. The Southwest neighborhood is filled with amazing people! Some have lived there for decades, some moved there more recently. Everyone loves how it feels like a small town within a big city where people say hello to each other and stop to ask how you’re doing. These video portraits capture a little of the spirit of Southwest.

Van Ness Social Club

The Van Ness Social Club is new-fashioned town square and social gathering where neighbors young and old can get to know each other.

The Van Ness Main Street won a grant from AARP to create an intergenerational project that would improve the built environment and drive community engagement through placemaking. We created a conceptual social club centered around a new dance called the Van Ness Shuffle, which was choreographed by Sarah Oppenheim with information she gleaned from community meetings and research. We also created an engaging physical space filled with delightful furniture made by artists Joseph Orzal and James Cole to welcome residents of all ages to get to know each other in a fun and casual environment. The social club can pop up anywhere and anytime in the neighborhood.

SW Sunday Supper

Every Sunday in August, 2017 and 2018, neighbors came together to meet someone new and get to know one another over a meal. Each supper began with an artistic engagement. Hand dancing lessons by a group that dances every Saturday at the nearby recreation center, poetry recitation, improv theater, and a community talent show. Local restaurants provided the food. All expenses were paid by the SW Business Improvement District and The Art Island collaborated on the production.

If You Lived Here

On June 27, 1867, Reverend Richard Hall, pastor of Union Bethel Church (known today as Metropolitan A.M.E.), purchased lot number 5, Section 2 on Stanton Road, SE, the first one-acre lot sold in the new Freedmen’s community, but later renamed Hillsdale. For a down payment of $15.00 a purchaser was provided a wagon-load of lumber and instructions for building a “simple but good quality house.” Reverend Hall was a pioneer −  the 375-acre neighborhood, deeded to the Freedmen’s Bureau, gave newly freed African Americans the opportunity to own land and build their own homes. This self-sufficient community grew and thrived, eventually having its own school, recreation areas, post office, churches, cemeteries, and markets. 

If You Lived Here seeks to commemorate the founding of this community, and also to reflect on how we live today. Visitors will draw parallels between the past and the present through a series of interactive, tactile, and creative activities. 

SEE / CHANGE

SEE / CHANGE is a video art installation that puts a human face on how population change and economic shifts affect neighborhoods and communities. The installation can be adapted to any neighborhood wishing to shine a light on its residents and to connect them to one another.

In its first iteration, video portraits of community members were projected in storefronts along Lower Georgia Avenue NW during one week in November 2016. Mobile projections took place on a different wall each night. A series of Interviews with residents telling their stories about the neighborhood were posted on seechangdc.com. Discussions, workshops, and gatherings were hosted in locations throughout the neighborhood.

SUPERNOVA

SUPERNOVA Performance Art Festival showcased a powerful and lively line-up of public performance art in Rosslyn, VA. SUPERNOVA brought together more than 75 emerging and established local, national and international artists who took to the streets and parks to energize public spaces and engage audiences in unexpected ways. Presented by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) and produced by The Pink Line Project’s Philippa Hughes, SUPERNOVA activated Rosslyn’s raw spaces, office lobbies, rooftops, the Metro station, parks and public spaces.