Friday, June 25, 2010

Ellis Island Exhibit

Although I do not think I have any relatives that arrived to America through Ellis Island, I was always intrigued with its history including this exhibit. If you looked at it just right, you saw only the American flag. If you move just slightly, you will see miscellaneous faces.
I asked several of the employees and volunteers there, but surprisingly, no one was exactly sure the name of this exhibit. After a quick internet search upon returning home, did I find out that it is called American Flag of Faces.


If you look at the same exhibit from the other direction, all you see are faces. As you can see, it was quite a popular exhibit.
Where do these photos come from? If you donate $50 to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, you can include a picture of yourself, your family, or your ancestors on the American Flag of Faces photo gallery. I believe donated photos are selected from this pool and displayed on this exhibit.


At the back of the exhibit is a simple video screen with ordinary people explaining how they or their ancestors became citizens.


P.S. To readers curious about the baby hummingbirds, they are still healthy and growing. I thought I would take a break from that subject and return to it in a few days. No worries, I am still monitoring their progress daily.

- Karen

8 comments:

mrsnesbitt said...

Hi Karen - do you know when I first looked at the first picture I actually thought it was a vertical blind only to discover it was a flag, but hey what a great idea for a vertical blind don't you think? We have a few verical blinds - all magnolia - a bit bland compared to the idea of a flag!

Mandy said...

Ellis Island was one of my favourite places that I visited when I went to New York. I was there a year ago this week but I am hesitant to read through my entries as it still tugs on my heart strings! I miss it and want to move there, even after a year!

I love this flag exhibit. It might be new as I did not see it last year!

betchai said...

very interesting how all those faces come up with one big image of the American flag.

RoseBelle said...

Speaking of Ellis Island, I had no idea it was in the east coast up until recently. I thought it was somewhere in the Bay Area. I know, I know, how could I, right?

I leaned sideways to look at the flag from the computer screen and yes, the pictures do look more evident that way.

AVCr8teur said...

Mrsnesbitt: I think I have seen the blinds you are referring to. They make the view beautiful whether you open the blinds or not. An image of a flag on a blind would be as equally as colorful.

Emm: I know how you feel. NYC is quite an exciting place to live. This exhibit came out in Sept. 2009 so you might have missed it on your last trip.

betchai: It is an intriguing design. One can spend a long time there just looking at all the faces of people.

RoseBelle: You might have gotten mixed up with Angel Island which I consider it the Ellis Island of the west.

LifeRamblings said...

what a neat and interesting exhibit.

SandyCarlson said...

That is one very impressive installation. Thanks for sharing it. Really has me thinking.

AVCr8teur said...

Life Ramblings: I agree. Very creative on the part of the artist.

Sandy: What are you thinking?