Youth UpRising 2005
Oakland, CA
Youth UpRising is a brand new state-of-the-art youth leadership development center. Johanna Poethig and Mildred Howard worked together to design public art for the building with the project architect, staff and youth. The designs included input into the building layout for the display of visual art, video and the DJ desk, etched and stained text in the concrete for the entrance, lobby and hallway floors, tile walls and the light box wall. The main tile wall in each bathroom is titled “Wall of Perception.” This wall uses a principle in physics where your perception of the wall is altered and the straight lines look like waves. We took this concept and had participating youth create text that related to ideas of perception/self perception. The Light Box Wall displays three posters that were designed in collaboration with youth. The posters were also installed in bus shelters throughout Oakland. This project was commissioned through the Alameda County Arts Commission.
