A Colorful Melange: We Belong Here

2017, acrylic on aluminum composite panels, 8' x 15', directed by Benjamin Duke
Grove Street Alley Mural Project, East Lansing, MI
Co-contributors: Salvador Carrillo, Summer Dawdy-Allen, Cami Ernst, Leila Malekadeli, Ciera Mckay, Peter Shutt, Richard Tanner, and Alyssa Thornton.

Our original proposal to the City of East Lansing:
          As artists, we take concepts, images, and direction from our living world to manipulate a visual space and recreate what we see, fear, and hope for. We strive to provide new ways of thought to an audience that may be more familiar with the scenes created than even the artists themselves. Within the mural we propose to make for the city of East Lansing, we hope to bring together many themes that we have all felt in our time here; themes that will still run deep through the city long after our time is done. Since we are not all painters, some of us are printmakers, dressmakers, photographers, and sculptors, we each bring a unique skill set to the mural. We will be utilizing acrylic paints in bright, bold colors to convey our message.
          All of our backgrounds are quite different, much like the residents of East Lansing; however, we have come together in the same space and time for this project. Upon reflection, we note the diversity held in this place. It is not only the university, but also the city, that promotes inclusion by valuing differences. Within the mural there will be many depictions of diversity, from a flowing line of figures to cartoon monsters popping out of ordinary places. Everyone may be going through different life events and paths; however, they have all come together as a community to make this progressive city home. The mural will demonstrate many different cultural backgrounds just as the city shows demographically. A plethora of people represented looking in different directions, doing different things, but walking in the same direction and establishing a better future.
          The earth’s resources are finite. Beyond the knowledge we have of our own planet and life on Earth, we also note that, as the world turns, space expands. Humanity has only touched the surface of exploration into the vast, growing unknown. With each new discovery, we are reminded that no matter how small we truly are, we are nothing insignificant. Knowledge of our environment and the space it consumes is ever expanding with it. A small corner will acknowledge this and portray a geometric abstraction of the earth, our solar system, and galaxies beyond that can be blended into the larger mural through patterning.
          As we gather more information of how humanity’s actions affect our planet, harmony, between nature and humanity, is of the utmost importance for sustainability. Without this harmony, we will not only cause strife among us at this present moment but will also root calamity and ruin the health and happiness for future generations. We need to take action now. This starts with the love and appreciation for our world above and beyond the immaterial baggage, its inception being politically and monetarily motivated, that will ultimately encumber our freedoms, progress, and adaptability. The trees, river, and wildlife depicted in this mural represent the natural wonders around us, here in Michigan. We cannot stress the point of community without incorporating nature into the mural as the balance shall remain seamless.
          The key to this balance is through the residents of East Lansing. The people that populate the city have strong convictions and compassion that reach from the environment to all others within the community. It is the population who are the driving force behind this cooperative community. The individuals and the government of East Lansing fight readily against discrimination of all kinds. It is a tradition that cannot be swayed. Due to the fight for inclusion, people from all walks of life belong here. The city of East Lansing provides for its residents a lifetime of opportunities and support. This growth and progress is also depicted by a staircase within the mural. Various city and regional landmarks will also be featured directly and indirectly throughout the work.
          We aim to create a scene that immerses the viewer in vibrant colors, bold lines, transitional patterns, and complex figures. The mural will have a distinct focus on diversity, from a socioeconomic standpoint to ethnicity, age, and gender. The city of East Lansing has been home to diversity via its inclusionary policies and continues to grow acceptance and tolerance. There are a plethora of paths to choose in life, and we choose to find them here. We also hope to share with the city the fine balance and harmony between nature and humanity by perpetuating ideas of sustainability and community. Through the collective progress of the city’s residents and policy makers, East Lansing holds its unity within all its differences. This is the essence we wish to share.