FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ: 7 Questions
I had the opportunity to speak with Favianna about her latest piece, the World Mural Project. We at AWD see this as a great example of collaboration between an artist and the private sector to help grow a community of world citizens while spreading the gift of creativity at in one large global art project. Intel has commissioned Favianna to work with kids from the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network locations around the world. The kids work with Intel volunteers to paint what the future will look like to them. Youth from 20 countries such as the Brazil, China, Mexico, India, Israel, Ireland, Russia, South Africa, United States have collaborated to create an online digital mural, imaging what possibilities computing will bring to them in 40 years. The Intel Computer Clubhouse Network is an after-school community-based technology- learning program that enables youth in underserved communities to acquire tools necessary for personal and professional success. The project started in May of this year and was recently launched at www.worldmuralproject.com.

AWD: What specific instructions were given to the participants?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ: All participating groups were asked to submit a visual and a written submission based on the question, "In 40 years, computers will empower us to…?” “I chose the word ‘empower’ because it was vital that youth see themselves as active participants in their future, a future they could mold, reshape, visualize, adjust.” The written submission is based on the six-word memoir project which has recently increased in popularity thanks to the internet. Both the written and the visual submission are developed via a collaborative group process, since each clubhouse submits one entry to represent its community.

AWD: What have you personally gotten out of this project?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ: I was very excited about art directing this project. I am fortunate to have been involved with the Intel Clubhouse model in the past, and this definitely shaped the way in which I approached the project. The inspiration for this piece came from youth voices themselves. The Intel Clubhouses serves as a hub for creative expression - young people are given the space, the support and the tools to develop art that is reflective of their experiences. There is power in young people's voices - they offer a vision for the future that we do not always see. These voices became the inspiration for the piece. What I learned from this project was the role that technology plays in bringing together collaborators when they are around the globe. I learned about the many aspects involved in working on a project of this size, everything from training, to being conscious of cultural differences, to being mindful of language barriers, to being deliberate about working with youth on terms that are respectful and not tokenizing. I also learned about the role that non-artists play in executing a project of this size, the loads of logistics that go into coordinating not just the youth themselves, but the adults that guide them and inspire them. I also learned that technology allows us to communicate in ways that we could not before, and this especially has a great impact on art and how we create it, how we develop our ideas around our concepts, and how we execute a project.

AWD: Have you ever worked on a collaborative large-scale project like this before?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ:
Yes, I recently published an art book in which I worked with over 300 artist from over 12 countries. The entire project took place over email and web in a three-year time frame. My co-editor and I collected about 800 works of art, all of which could be reproduced royalty free.
The book consisted of the best 500 works, and featured 198 artists from more than 10 countries. The project grew to be a bilingual (English and Spanish), due to the artists themselves, who encouraged us to think of ways to make the art more accessible. I also recently launched a project around immigrants in the United States, in which I interview immigrants from cities such as Iowa, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco, Denver, and more.
I photograph them, interview them, and talk about what they view as the "American Dream." The project is also bilingual and includes both printed and web based mediums. I believe that as an artist, I can bring people together. Art is a universal magic key that has opened many doors for me, and has granted me access to different communities. What better role for an artist than to be able to create bridges, particularly in today's times. As artists, we are able to explore a wide range of issues and to encourage social dialogue around those themes.

AWD: About how many children are participating?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ: About 530 children and youth.

AWD: How does this project relate you your graphics work?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ:
My own purpose as an artist is to create art that serves as a voice for the voiceless and to encourage collaborative ways of art making. As a graphic artist, I collaborate with members from various communities to develop ways in which art can reflect their own experiences and challenges. As an author and editor, I work with artists around the world to develop collaborative projects that transcend even language and cultural barriers. As a digital artist, I explore ways in which technology can bring communities together through the channel we call "art". All of those practices intersected in the Intel World Mural Project. There is power in young people's voices - they offer a vision for the future that we do not always see. These voices became the inspiration for the piece. This is very similar to the work I do as a print and poster artist. I reflect on the experiences of my subjects, and I try to mirror those experiences in a way that brings attention to them.

AWD: How do you relate this project to a larger social context?
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ:
A frequent theme in my work is globalization and how it affects people
all over the world. I have worked with youth from marginalized
communities for over 10 years. My experiences in working with young
people throughout the world, as a teacher and as an artist, has taught
me to be a good listener around creativity. I believe that young people play a significant role in the formation of culture, and it is important to honor those voices as we would the voices of creative adults. The voices in this project are from youth in underserved communities, communities in which Intel has supported the formation of the Clubhouse model. The Computer Clubhouse provides a creative and safe environment where young people from under-served communities work to explore their own ideas, develop skills, and build confidence in themselves through the use of technology. In this sense, the project is giving a voice to a community that is traditionally not given that space, and in this context it breaks barriers. Another key aspect of this project is the role that volunteers play. As part of the Intel 40th Anniversary, employees will be encouraged to complete one million hours of volunteer service. Many of the volunteers will be working directly with the Clubhouses. In this sense, the architects of technology and those who implement it, come together via the bridge of art and collaboration.

AWD: What is your goal as an artist
FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ: To use art and culture as a tool with which to talk about the conditions of our society, and to reflect on how we can create a better future. I believe that art is a universal language that can surpass language, culture, ethnicity, and location.