SWIMMING public art project
SWIMMING, a temporary public art project by Monica Jahan Bose, explores the deep and essential connections we have to water as our world faces increased flooding, drought, and rising sea levels due to climate change. Participants in DC and Bangladesh join workshops to co-create poetry and art inspired by the healing properties of water and swimming and by inequities in access. Featuring 22 blue Bangladeshi saris arranged to evoke a swimming pool and a massive wave, the exhibit is augmented by a VideoSoundwalk with QR codes that interweave poetry with sounds of water, nature, and music and images of Bose and participants creating, wearing, and interacting with the saris. The project is part of the ongoing climate justice collaboration Storytelling with Saris.
Marie Reed is the former Morgan school, which was desegregated along with the Adams school, giving the name to the Adams Morgan neighborhood. The Marie Reed pool is now being used by DC to teach swimming to children from various schools, a project that aims to redress racial discrimination in access to swimming. SWIMMING is a visual representation of sustainability, inclusion, and resilience and is part of Bose’s ongoing climate justice collaboration Storytelling with Saris.
Lead Artist: Monica Jahan Bose
Curator: Sarah Tanguy
DCPS Collaboration: Valeria Monfrini, Art Teacher, Marie Reed Elementary School
Photography/Livestream: Paris Preston
Sound design: Sonia Herrero
Marketing design/Social media: Jen Saavedra
Press/media inquiries: Kelly Davidson. Email: info@kellymavenmedia.com. Phone: 301-300-4011
Funded by the DC Commission on the Arts are Humanities.
Community partners: The Adams Morgan Partnership BID, Marie Reed Elementary School & Aquatic Center, The DC Arts Center, Calvary Womens Services, and Moms Clean Air Force.
Exhibition Schedule (Outdoor events are weather dependent — check for updates!):
Location: Marie Reed Plaza, 2201 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009. (Buses 90, 92, 96)
Exhibition dates June 7-20, 2024, open 24/7 outdoors
Friday, June 7, 2024 @ 5-8 PM: Opening Event. With dedication, poetry recital, and livestream starting @ 6 pm. ASL provided. [WE ARE GOING WITH OUR RAINDATE: June 7]
Saturday, June 8, 2024 @ 3-5 pm: Artist/curator walkthrough talk at site ASL provided.
Tuesdays, June 11 & 18, 2024 @ 7:30 pm: Walkthrough tour and screening “Swimming” short film as part of Adams Morgan Movie Night (at dusk).
Saturday, June 15, 2024 @ 5 pm: Performance
June 20, 2022 Final Day – Monica will be there from 8-10 pm to take photos and dance under the saris! Deinstall is at 8 am on June 21….
Watch the Livesstream of Dedication below.
