Ying Wang
Honors 384
Community Engaged Research Proposals (CERP)
ABSTRACT
How do new immigrants/migrants and original residents in Berlin perceive their own identities through artful expression? The underlying meaning reflected through literature and graffiti. The relation between culture and the demonstration of identity. The main theme of this project is to have a closer examination upon artful representation from two distinct neighborhoods and interpret the meaning being conveyed by those artifacts. The targeted neighborhoods for now are Kreuzberg and Schlesische. Partly because our community partners are involved in those two neighborhoods, the project may receive more information by focusing on these two areas. In this way to help facilitate the understanding of immigrants/migrants. This project focuses on the means of expression of individual personal identity, especially through reading and reflecting on migration/immigration literature. With a greater focus on literature, this project will examine the literature works and through direct conversation to understand the target subjects’ attitude towards the coexistence with original citizens. The means of expression will mainly search for written material and potentially interviews with folks involved in these organizations that may not be immigrants or refugees themselves will also be helpful. If not sufficient enough, the street art and other artist representation will be important to research on as well. “The nature of migration and the level of foreign writers' integration vary too much to be collected in one category, not to mention the authors' unique biographical backgrounds and differing cultural, religious, or social habits.” (Saša) As the reading for Three Myths of Migrant Literature goes, the study of migration art gives us unique inside to peek into the author’s inner state, to share a connection and build a bridge that leads to the mutual understanding between different groups of people living in the same city.
BACKGROUND
For many migrants and immigrants, the wondering on their identities in the new country is common and troublesome. Many of them are confused, perplexed, and can feel rejected as an outsider. Some would describe the Berlin Refugee Crisis as “Berlin so swamped by migrants that city is in ruins”. The news addresses that the influx of 90,000 refugees has left Germany’s capital facing humanitarian crisis. But does this view represent the city’s main opinion on the incoming refugees, and how do the refugees perceive themselves when being seen as a liability? To answer these questions requires direct interaction with the subjects and I realize that it is difficult and somewhat unreasonable to hope to have a deep conversation with the refugees in person and truly unravel their feelings and perspectives. I will design questionnaires with questions that do not violate their privacy so that they may be more inclined to share their feelings under a directed rather than unfocused question form. This way the plan will hopefully be more durable considering not every individual is talkative enough to open his or her heart to a stranger. So I choose to stick with a more explicit platform: to observe and study the arts made by refugees and migrants into Berlin. Some may write books where they seek their identities in the city or simply record their new life and experience there in Berlin; some draw paintings that are either abstract or realistic to reflect their minds…etc. Unlike conversation with research subject, where the speakers incline to hide their true intentions or emotions because they do not feel open to the listeners, arts provide people with a sense of security so that they are more direct in expressing their deep, strong feelings.
I believe the relevance of this topic because it concerns the receiving city as a whole, and it takes into consider different aspects of view from immigrants, migrants, original citizens. These three groups of people are characterized by their social status and thus have different perspectives of their own existence in the city of Berlin. The languages they use, and the context of their works really impact the way migration is perceived. To what degree the author feels alienation and familiarity can be found in the way they create their art works. This topic is of my personal interest because literature as art is a way of knowing a place. I start to familiarize myself with Berlin, a city that I have never set foot on, by reading books about Berlin written by authors from different backgrounds: some are immigrants, some are students staying for knowledge, some are normal German citizens. Book of Clouds by Chloe Aridjis is one of the books that gives me insight about knowing Berlin’s history. In the book, Tatiana, a Mexican in Berlin who flits from one job to another explores the history of Berlin while taking her job as typing for a reclusive old historian. The book is very much about the city, where the past seeps into the present and the story unfolds in a dream-like sequence. After a general understanding of Berlin’s history and how a foreigner gets along with it, I will proceed into a more specific perspective: the view from either migrants or immigrants in Berlin. The graffiti that is ubiquitous in Berlin also condensates the essence of Berlin, from the famous Berlin Wall graffiti, where each painting denotes the struggle for freedom, the revolution for social structure, the protest of oppression. It is through art legacy that they made their identity visible. “Urban art and graffiti are expressions of more general ideas, beliefs, and convictions and are thus subject to conflicts about power over signification and interpretation as well as about access to common resources.” I would like to roam in the street of Berlin and try to sort of two areas of different blocks that have street art of different features from each other. Since street art is the most straightforward way of art representation, the freedom it gives to the artist and the choice of anonymity that offers the opportunity to express without being targeted allow many genuine works to be delivered. I will take advantage of the publicity of the graffiti, which, unlike personal art studios or galleries that I may not have easy access to, gives me a chance to have a closer look at the and observe the details. One thing that I am concerned with is that if I cannot find the creator of the graffiti or directly contact them, how to make sure my interpretation is on the “right track” is a problem. Also, how to have them voluntarily talk me through their inspiration and drive for the art works is another dilemma I am worried about. “A migrant is someone who chooses to resettle to another country in search of a better life.”(Micheal), so how their search for a better living condition stands in the way of the original residences’ utilization of land and resources and how those two groups interact with each other in a mutually beneficial way is the main goal for this project.
By understanding the residences in Berlin and the migrants and immigrants to Berlin, this project will hopefully serve to help them communicate with each other’s roles in sharing this city. Problems like the conflicts between the usage of resources and the sustainability of capital to supply for so many people may not be resolved easily, but local communities will get a better feedback of how people within those communities are going through and thus can focus on resolving the main problems first. The focus of your research is not only to help immigrants and migrants to demonstrate their thoughts, to let them be ‘heard’, but also deeply think about how old and new Berlin (and Berliners) negotiate the sharing of space and place. Combining the street art and literature works, the research gives a full reveal of the attitudes of both sides.
As Kerstin indicates in nestwork Berlin website, “Whether it’s by providing jobs, donations or volunteer services – many companies make a commitment to help refugees integrate on arrival in Germany. That’s wonderful.”(Kerstin),
QUESTION
Is the identity of immigrants and migrants in Berlin really made visible through different platforms of art expression? Do the exhibitions in the museum that I am going to work with reflect feelings that can be categorized by a general label, or do they each indicate different thoughts? Are the arts successful in attracting the attention needed for the long-neglected authors and artisans? Will the division of different neighborhoods have an influence in the styles or themes of art expressions?
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
My culture bias is that both German culture and U.S. culture are distinct from the culture where I grew up from, so I am afraid that I see the past and current issues not in the same way as my research subjects do. As an international student in the United States, I have my own experience of merging with another society, incorporating with a different culture, finding my existence in a new environment. And I am fully aware of the adjust personal lens to try to understand the local communities’ lens. Since I am quite practiced at observing american culture from an outsider's perspective, I learned how to respect any difference that I see and start to understand why they do what they do and wonder about what is the root reason that causes this difference. That way of thinking could be a strength in doing research in Berlin as an incoming student that has no relevance with either migrant status or Berlin bond. In Peter’s blog, he talked about how outsider of a religion adapt and coexist with religion, “the point is that they don’t fit in where they are. They are outsiders subsisting in a society that doesn’t understand their thinking and their way of life. They live in a culture that is opposed to Jesus.”(Peter), I begin to be more adequate in treating people that come from different culture background than me.
Research Method includes:
Observation:
By talking to people directly within the neighborhood. If they feel like sharing, take notes to know their backgrounds, and probably their views on the matters like taking in immigrants, providing shelter for refugees, and the relationship between incoming people and the city. This method is good in that I can get direct feedback that suits my project, but the problem is that my own observation may be biased and thus missing the ability to fully reflect the “whole story”. But I will use this method for starter to begin my project.
Interview:
Set up appointment with the two to three artists of the art works in the museum that interest me particularly. Know the story behind their work, their inspiration, the interpretation of the artifact, and personal significance relating the work with the artist. I think this will be the most effective way in getting back information that are valuable for my project, while how to reach out to the artists and whether they will be willing to share with me is a bit challenging.
Case study
I will take a walk around the neighborhood and wander around to have my own definition of a certain research the neighborhood. Those two neighborhoods are expected to each has their own uniqueness and will be even more interesting for my study if they also share a sense of similarity. The intertwined styles and attitudes are worthy of my attention.
Close reading of the art
Doing research on the history of art genres within that neighborhood or even look at larger area scale to capture the art styles associate with each time era. Find the similarities between art works from migrants and residences.
Communication with partner
Artists, architects and social pedagogues have, together with young refugees and residents of the neighbourhood, created an experimental landscape garden on a fallow plot of the cemetery. Through joint gardening, cooking and festivities long-time residents and newcomers explore their future coexistence.
Written work
In terms of access to written work, look for poetry open mic nights and/or listen to music being written and produced in Berlin. These are alternative forms of literature that may "speak" to some of the same themes that emerge in street art. To learn facts and stories about the community that the artifacts come from. I would learn about the local neighborhood and the narratives in Kreuzberg, where the museum is located. By experience and exploring the area, I hope to understand the role of local district museums in Berlin and the significance of their existence in helping people present their ideas and views about the city.
For further revision:
I have not yet decided which community area besides Kreuzberg to study on, preferably some neighborhood that has distinct features in comparison with the neighborhood of the museum. After I make up my mind on which neighborhood to choose, I will pick a novel or literature or even just an introduction brochure centered on that neighborhood. For the proposal, I would add more reference to prepare the research more academically.
Reference
NICK PARKER, Chief Foreign Correspondent in Berlin, https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/152922/refugee-crisis-berlin-so-swamped-by-migrants-that-city-is-in-ruins/
Saša Stanišiç, Magazine from the November 2008 issue Three Myths of Immigrant Writing: A View from Germany ,http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/article/three-myths-of-immigrant-writing-a-view-from-germany/
Kerstin 17. August 2016, (Living) Space for Refugees – What Companies Can Do to Help http://nestwerkberlin.de/en/living-space-for-refugees-what-companies-can-do-to-help/
Peter Dehaan, Do You Think Like an Exile? Do You Act Like a Foreigner? https://www.peterdehaan.com/the-bible/are-you-a-foreigner/
Michael Martinez, CNN, 1:57 PM ET, Tue September 8, 2015Migrant vs. refugee: What's the difference? http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/08/world/what-is-difference-migrants-refugees/index.html
Honors 384
Community Engaged Research Proposals (CERP)
ABSTRACT
How do new immigrants/migrants and original residents in Berlin perceive their own identities through artful expression? The underlying meaning reflected through literature and graffiti. The relation between culture and the demonstration of identity. The main theme of this project is to have a closer examination upon artful representation from two distinct neighborhoods and interpret the meaning being conveyed by those artifacts. The targeted neighborhoods for now are Kreuzberg and Schlesische. Partly because our community partners are involved in those two neighborhoods, the project may receive more information by focusing on these two areas. In this way to help facilitate the understanding of immigrants/migrants. This project focuses on the means of expression of individual personal identity, especially through reading and reflecting on migration/immigration literature. With a greater focus on literature, this project will examine the literature works and through direct conversation to understand the target subjects’ attitude towards the coexistence with original citizens. The means of expression will mainly search for written material and potentially interviews with folks involved in these organizations that may not be immigrants or refugees themselves will also be helpful. If not sufficient enough, the street art and other artist representation will be important to research on as well. “The nature of migration and the level of foreign writers' integration vary too much to be collected in one category, not to mention the authors' unique biographical backgrounds and differing cultural, religious, or social habits.” (Saša) As the reading for Three Myths of Migrant Literature goes, the study of migration art gives us unique inside to peek into the author’s inner state, to share a connection and build a bridge that leads to the mutual understanding between different groups of people living in the same city.
BACKGROUND
For many migrants and immigrants, the wondering on their identities in the new country is common and troublesome. Many of them are confused, perplexed, and can feel rejected as an outsider. Some would describe the Berlin Refugee Crisis as “Berlin so swamped by migrants that city is in ruins”. The news addresses that the influx of 90,000 refugees has left Germany’s capital facing humanitarian crisis. But does this view represent the city’s main opinion on the incoming refugees, and how do the refugees perceive themselves when being seen as a liability? To answer these questions requires direct interaction with the subjects and I realize that it is difficult and somewhat unreasonable to hope to have a deep conversation with the refugees in person and truly unravel their feelings and perspectives. I will design questionnaires with questions that do not violate their privacy so that they may be more inclined to share their feelings under a directed rather than unfocused question form. This way the plan will hopefully be more durable considering not every individual is talkative enough to open his or her heart to a stranger. So I choose to stick with a more explicit platform: to observe and study the arts made by refugees and migrants into Berlin. Some may write books where they seek their identities in the city or simply record their new life and experience there in Berlin; some draw paintings that are either abstract or realistic to reflect their minds…etc. Unlike conversation with research subject, where the speakers incline to hide their true intentions or emotions because they do not feel open to the listeners, arts provide people with a sense of security so that they are more direct in expressing their deep, strong feelings.
I believe the relevance of this topic because it concerns the receiving city as a whole, and it takes into consider different aspects of view from immigrants, migrants, original citizens. These three groups of people are characterized by their social status and thus have different perspectives of their own existence in the city of Berlin. The languages they use, and the context of their works really impact the way migration is perceived. To what degree the author feels alienation and familiarity can be found in the way they create their art works. This topic is of my personal interest because literature as art is a way of knowing a place. I start to familiarize myself with Berlin, a city that I have never set foot on, by reading books about Berlin written by authors from different backgrounds: some are immigrants, some are students staying for knowledge, some are normal German citizens. Book of Clouds by Chloe Aridjis is one of the books that gives me insight about knowing Berlin’s history. In the book, Tatiana, a Mexican in Berlin who flits from one job to another explores the history of Berlin while taking her job as typing for a reclusive old historian. The book is very much about the city, where the past seeps into the present and the story unfolds in a dream-like sequence. After a general understanding of Berlin’s history and how a foreigner gets along with it, I will proceed into a more specific perspective: the view from either migrants or immigrants in Berlin. The graffiti that is ubiquitous in Berlin also condensates the essence of Berlin, from the famous Berlin Wall graffiti, where each painting denotes the struggle for freedom, the revolution for social structure, the protest of oppression. It is through art legacy that they made their identity visible. “Urban art and graffiti are expressions of more general ideas, beliefs, and convictions and are thus subject to conflicts about power over signification and interpretation as well as about access to common resources.” I would like to roam in the street of Berlin and try to sort of two areas of different blocks that have street art of different features from each other. Since street art is the most straightforward way of art representation, the freedom it gives to the artist and the choice of anonymity that offers the opportunity to express without being targeted allow many genuine works to be delivered. I will take advantage of the publicity of the graffiti, which, unlike personal art studios or galleries that I may not have easy access to, gives me a chance to have a closer look at the and observe the details. One thing that I am concerned with is that if I cannot find the creator of the graffiti or directly contact them, how to make sure my interpretation is on the “right track” is a problem. Also, how to have them voluntarily talk me through their inspiration and drive for the art works is another dilemma I am worried about. “A migrant is someone who chooses to resettle to another country in search of a better life.”(Micheal), so how their search for a better living condition stands in the way of the original residences’ utilization of land and resources and how those two groups interact with each other in a mutually beneficial way is the main goal for this project.
By understanding the residences in Berlin and the migrants and immigrants to Berlin, this project will hopefully serve to help them communicate with each other’s roles in sharing this city. Problems like the conflicts between the usage of resources and the sustainability of capital to supply for so many people may not be resolved easily, but local communities will get a better feedback of how people within those communities are going through and thus can focus on resolving the main problems first. The focus of your research is not only to help immigrants and migrants to demonstrate their thoughts, to let them be ‘heard’, but also deeply think about how old and new Berlin (and Berliners) negotiate the sharing of space and place. Combining the street art and literature works, the research gives a full reveal of the attitudes of both sides.
As Kerstin indicates in nestwork Berlin website, “Whether it’s by providing jobs, donations or volunteer services – many companies make a commitment to help refugees integrate on arrival in Germany. That’s wonderful.”(Kerstin),
QUESTION
Is the identity of immigrants and migrants in Berlin really made visible through different platforms of art expression? Do the exhibitions in the museum that I am going to work with reflect feelings that can be categorized by a general label, or do they each indicate different thoughts? Are the arts successful in attracting the attention needed for the long-neglected authors and artisans? Will the division of different neighborhoods have an influence in the styles or themes of art expressions?
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
My culture bias is that both German culture and U.S. culture are distinct from the culture where I grew up from, so I am afraid that I see the past and current issues not in the same way as my research subjects do. As an international student in the United States, I have my own experience of merging with another society, incorporating with a different culture, finding my existence in a new environment. And I am fully aware of the adjust personal lens to try to understand the local communities’ lens. Since I am quite practiced at observing american culture from an outsider's perspective, I learned how to respect any difference that I see and start to understand why they do what they do and wonder about what is the root reason that causes this difference. That way of thinking could be a strength in doing research in Berlin as an incoming student that has no relevance with either migrant status or Berlin bond. In Peter’s blog, he talked about how outsider of a religion adapt and coexist with religion, “the point is that they don’t fit in where they are. They are outsiders subsisting in a society that doesn’t understand their thinking and their way of life. They live in a culture that is opposed to Jesus.”(Peter), I begin to be more adequate in treating people that come from different culture background than me.
Research Method includes:
Observation:
By talking to people directly within the neighborhood. If they feel like sharing, take notes to know their backgrounds, and probably their views on the matters like taking in immigrants, providing shelter for refugees, and the relationship between incoming people and the city. This method is good in that I can get direct feedback that suits my project, but the problem is that my own observation may be biased and thus missing the ability to fully reflect the “whole story”. But I will use this method for starter to begin my project.
Interview:
Set up appointment with the two to three artists of the art works in the museum that interest me particularly. Know the story behind their work, their inspiration, the interpretation of the artifact, and personal significance relating the work with the artist. I think this will be the most effective way in getting back information that are valuable for my project, while how to reach out to the artists and whether they will be willing to share with me is a bit challenging.
Case study
I will take a walk around the neighborhood and wander around to have my own definition of a certain research the neighborhood. Those two neighborhoods are expected to each has their own uniqueness and will be even more interesting for my study if they also share a sense of similarity. The intertwined styles and attitudes are worthy of my attention.
Close reading of the art
Doing research on the history of art genres within that neighborhood or even look at larger area scale to capture the art styles associate with each time era. Find the similarities between art works from migrants and residences.
Communication with partner
Artists, architects and social pedagogues have, together with young refugees and residents of the neighbourhood, created an experimental landscape garden on a fallow plot of the cemetery. Through joint gardening, cooking and festivities long-time residents and newcomers explore their future coexistence.
Written work
In terms of access to written work, look for poetry open mic nights and/or listen to music being written and produced in Berlin. These are alternative forms of literature that may "speak" to some of the same themes that emerge in street art. To learn facts and stories about the community that the artifacts come from. I would learn about the local neighborhood and the narratives in Kreuzberg, where the museum is located. By experience and exploring the area, I hope to understand the role of local district museums in Berlin and the significance of their existence in helping people present their ideas and views about the city.
For further revision:
I have not yet decided which community area besides Kreuzberg to study on, preferably some neighborhood that has distinct features in comparison with the neighborhood of the museum. After I make up my mind on which neighborhood to choose, I will pick a novel or literature or even just an introduction brochure centered on that neighborhood. For the proposal, I would add more reference to prepare the research more academically.
Reference
NICK PARKER, Chief Foreign Correspondent in Berlin, https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/152922/refugee-crisis-berlin-so-swamped-by-migrants-that-city-is-in-ruins/
Saša Stanišiç, Magazine from the November 2008 issue Three Myths of Immigrant Writing: A View from Germany ,http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/article/three-myths-of-immigrant-writing-a-view-from-germany/
Kerstin 17. August 2016, (Living) Space for Refugees – What Companies Can Do to Help http://nestwerkberlin.de/en/living-space-for-refugees-what-companies-can-do-to-help/
Peter Dehaan, Do You Think Like an Exile? Do You Act Like a Foreigner? https://www.peterdehaan.com/the-bible/are-you-a-foreigner/
Michael Martinez, CNN, 1:57 PM ET, Tue September 8, 2015Migrant vs. refugee: What's the difference? http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/08/world/what-is-difference-migrants-refugees/index.html