M U S E Z I N E
23
Musezine 23: Oppression and Prejudice Created in 2005, The Bronx Museum Teen Council offers dynamic experiences with contemporary art and culture to urban youth through an intensive after-school program for teens. Structured around video production, artist interviews, zine publications, and exhibition curation, this 8-month program provides teens with an open forum for the expression of ideas and dialogue on issues affecting young people today. This year’s MuseZine includes our own creative work inspired by our chosen theme Oppression and Prejudice. It also includes our painting responses to the Art AIDS America exhibition at The Bronx Museum of the Arts and political button designs we created to address the current political climate. Teens: Stephanie Almodovar, Nushrat Hai, Mya Herbert, Jennifer Hernandez, Neil Jimenez, Aston King, Daljah Lewis, Valeria Martinez, Diante McLeod, Genesis Middleton, Taziah Moody, Kevin Moreno, and Alyssia Perez Museum Educators: Edwin Gonzalez and Ellie Krakow Front Cover designed by Alyssia Perez Back Cover designed by Genesis Middleton
Teen Council is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, and Anonymous. Education and Community Programs are generously supported by Calamus Foundation, Con Edison, Deutsche Bank, Keith Haring Foundation, Malka Fund, O’Grady Foundation, New Yankee Stadium Community Benefits Fund, New York Yankees Foundation, Robert Lehman Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Target, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, and New York City Council Members Vanessa L. Gibson, Melissa MarkViverito, and Annabel Palma.
1040 GRAND CONCOURSE, BRONX, NEW YORK 10456 ┃ BRONXMUSEUM.ORG
Daljah Lewis
Art AIDS America is powerful exhibition that was on view at the Bronx Museum when we started the Teen Council this fall. With more than 125 works from 1981 to present day, the exhibition examined the deep and ongoing influence of the AIDS crisis on American art and culture. We first explored the show together, and then each selected a theme from the artworks we saw to inspire paintings of our own.
Alyssia Perez
Neil Jimenez
The urgency of time, the sense of containment, and the overwhelming enormity of emotion expressed in the artworks inspired us.
Daljah Lewis
Aston King
Some artworks in the show used metaphors about the changing seasons to explore dying and loss in the AIDS crisis.
Jennifer Hernandez
Other artworks grapple head on with representing the illness and pain caused by AIDS.
Stephanie Almodovar
Think Wide Open Why does time violate my space? Pass me by with too many moments to waste, And take away this demon I’m willing to face. This corrupted structure, I have no choice but to break. Until then I remain disturbed peacefully. It watches me skeptically, waiting for me to think incorrectly so it has the power to sabotage me. Society attempts to manipulate the logic behind my thoughts. Insecurities put my rationality on pause as they try to expose my flaws. Everyone’s closed minded, puppets in the show It’s the government against us all along. Numbers and colors separate us all, they say who you are is wrong. But me, I wouldn’t dare judge another soul based off of their skin. I’m stuck in this terrible position they’ve put me in. To think wide open you have to avoid this deceptive demeanor they’ve thrust amongst us. I will no longer disguise the rage behind my outbursts. Instead I will eliminate the negativity, controlling this curse. Since we have the ability to be open minded don’t be selfish with your kindness. Don’t let expectations cloud your judgment. Don’t cage your inner beast. They will see you as the suspect. Open your mind to the possibilities in your presence. -Mya Herbert
Stephanie Almodovar
Diante McLeod
Nushrat Hai Not a Badge button 2016-17 has been a politically charged year. We are contributing to the important conversations about immigration rights, racism, women’s rights, religious tolerance, police brutality, LGBTQ rights, and the environment by designing buttons that address these key issues. We are also sharing black-and-white versions of our button designs as downloadable templates for FREE! All are encouraged to print, color, and use these graphics in proud support of social justice. Download the templates at bronxmuseum.org/teen_council.
Neil Jimenez
Taziah Moody
Stephanie Almodovar
Genesis Middleton
Aston King center button
Stephanie Almodovar
Mya Herbert
Trapped inside your stereotypical lifestyle, deep in your consciousness, you have love, but you bleed hate. My prayers shared faith, yet it didn’t take, you did steal lives to make “my” economy better. People unpleased, but you go free with the guilt of an innocent life… Just think, did you feel threatened, or shot on purpose? Scared for your son or daughter or just envious? I may not be fully Christian, but my prayers will be heard that the glock tucked will remain in your holster.
-Daljah Lewis
Kevin Moreno
Valeria Martinez
Diante McLeod
These Living Colors by Taziah Moody
Be you. Switch down the block With your husband Shops in both Sections Of the store. Be proud of the skin you’re In. We are pushed in belonging In That have to follow society. Expectations, Noooo. Be who you want to be. Don’t let the world Tell you how to live Your life. You wanna Be transgender, be the Best one you can be. The point: Don’t let Anyone stop you From being who You truly are.