IRIS & PIER / MacMillan Center at Yale celebrate World Refugee Day, June 19th with “The Art of Survival”
http://www.irisct.org
IRIS - Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services - and PIER / MacMillan Center at Yale University invited the public to a special evening filled with live music, dance, sculpture, photography, painting, and African masks by refugees from Afghanistan, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Haiti and Iraq.
Former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Saihou Saidy shared the poignant stories behind his powerful collection of refugee artwork. The personal experiences of refugees from Afghanistan, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Haiti and Iraq were revealed through a display of their sculpture, photography, painting, crafts, and masks. The event attracted hundreds who enjoyed live performance, great food from local restaurants, and a silent auction, of refugee portraits by sculptor Susan Clinard.
The evening was a surround sound sensual experience enabling participants to comprehend on every level why the "art of survival" rings so true for the refugees participating in this year's celebration.
Why the essence of self expression, the desire to share, teach and tell stories through all art forms is so crucial to the human spirit.
It is sometimes the only thing that refugees bring with them to this country. It is the first brick to build on. In so many ways we have a lot to learn from their stories, their sculptures, their songs, and their dances.
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