The Animodules are coming to the Nassau County Museum of Art’s Manes Family Center for their first ever museum exhibition. Newark’s original art form will travel across the river to bring their message of peacemaking through the arts to Long Island from May 17 to Sept. 15.
Animodules are contemporary totems — interlocking sculptures that are artist facilitated and community created. The exhibition is accompanied by Animodule-making workshops where children and adults of all ages can work together to create this public art.
“These Animodules provide a unique look into Newark’s diverse culture and extend that culture around the world,” said former Newark mayor, current senator and presidential candidate, Cory Booker. “I witnessed firsthand the profound power of this art form and I named Animodules the official Peace Ambassadors of our city.”
“Animodules are a Newark original, created by artists in residence working with children and communities,” said Chandri Barat, executive director of the Barat Foundation Creation Nation. “We refer to these Animodules as nonviolent superheroes, fueled by the powers of the arts, to create bridges, promote social justice, and celebrate diversity. Animodules are the alternative to the violence and inhumanity seen in the world today.”
An Animodule is a revolutionary art form and movement that is changing the way art and creative expression connects to community, business, and youth. The Animodule is an animated sculpture, formed by notching two flat planes together to create a third dimension. It is an original urban art form created by children and youth of Newark under the direction of professional artists.
Working collaboratively, solving conceptual and design problems, and merging art and science, program participants gain invaluable artistic, academic, and team-building experience creating a permanent artwork that represents their community.
Animodules form a strong bridge between communities, schools and businesses. Among many accomplishments, Animodules have engaged more than 10,000 children in Newark, welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to Newark Airport, greeted the Dalai Lama at the Newark Peace Education Summit, and appeared in Times Square for the UN International Day of Peace.
Each year, the Animodules come together to celebrate creativity and art in the annual Newark Creation Nation Art & Peace Parade. For more information about the exhibit, go to www.baratfoundation.org/creation-nation/.
