The Insignificant Triptych |
Insignificant:III)Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
"Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" speaks to my feelings about immigration and the status of refugees in our Country. Emma Lazarus' poem, "The New Colossus" which is engraved on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty's base was my point of emotional reference for this piece. I used just a few bits of this poem but I featured the last line, "... I lift my lamp bedside the golden door!" as an inscription on the lintel of the miniature wardrobe. Two other lines of the poem run in tiny, tiny print along the lintel's sides.
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" glass mosaic on wood with ceramic, text, photos, hinges and lightbulb 7.5" long x 15.75" high x 11" deep ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
The first pattern on the far left is Scotch watch plaid, representing Europe; the second pattern next to that is traditional mud cloth from Mali, representing Africa; the third pattern is white for Antarctica! ; the fourth pattern is a traditional wonky log cabin quilt pattern (made by me and two friends) representing North America; the fifth pattern is a blue ocean wave pattern from Japan representing Asia; the sixth pattern is an Aboriginal dot painting pattern representing Australia; and the seventh pattern is an Andean textile pattern representing South America.
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
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The "Wall of Fear" or how to say "fear" in 32 different languages. For a key to the bricks you can click here.
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"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
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"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
[Text on floor of the piece]
“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.”
― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl
"Insignificant - III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
My Babci's china grace these doors.
[Text on side of the door edge]
Thousands of Jewish refugees were refused entry into the United States during World War II. Anne Frank and her family were among them.
Thousands of Jewish refugees were refused entry into the United States during World War II. Anne Frank and her family were among them.
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
The text in the above panels, located on the miniature wardrobe's sides are loosely excerpted from:
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/immigration-act which is generated by the Office of the Historian connected to the U.S. State Department |
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
[Text under the side lintel]
The Immigration Act of 1924 (The Johnson Reed Act) |
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
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"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
....with the doors open.....
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
underside of piece with De Cecco pasta woman
[Text is lyrics from Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"]
[Text is lyrics from Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land"]
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“Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it.” attributed to Mahatma Gandhi
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"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
“Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it.” attributed to Mahatma Gandhi
[Text wraps around the half-orb.]
"Insignificant: III) Seven Continental Patterns Wash Away the Fear (of the Other)" [detail] ©Diana Maria Rossi 2017
"Welcome" in 32 different languages. For the key,click here.
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