CALL OF ACTION
In 2017 there were 2,400 immigrant children being detained by the U.S. Now the number is over 14,000 and counting. As a result of the strict policies being created by the current administration, the number of detained children has risen drastically. Many of these families and children are seeking refuge from poverty and violence, but instead are being held in detention centers. They are missing from their loved ones, homes, schools, playgrounds and most importantly, they are missing their childhood.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This art installation represents the over 14,000 children who are currently being detained by the U.S. government. The milk cartons are a nod to the missing children campaign that ran throughout the U.S. from the early 80’s to the late 90’s.
Each carton is a visual representation of an immigrant child being held in detention centers across the country. The text on the cartons represents what they are missing – their family, community, and most importantly their childhood.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to raise public awareness about the 12,800 (and counting) children that have been detained by the U.S. government and to create a ripple effect that leads to the reunification of families.
THE BUILD
This art installation consists of a 20ft clear polycarbonate structure supported by a steel skeleton. The white-coated steel form was welded down to a support base of 12,000lbs. It is trimmed in white neon and contains interior shelves made of clear corrugated plastic housing 14,000 half-gallon milk cartons. Glossy white decals have been placed individually on each milk carton to communicate what children are missing while in the detention camps.
