As heard on S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio‘s Montez Press Radio segment, the Fundred Project’s journey is recounted through a compilation of compelling conversation, insightful interviews and live event audio. From Fundred documentary CAPITAL TO CAPITOL, to VIVA Brooklyn! program footage, the sounds of Fundred’s story illustrate key moments throughout the duration of the project.
While visiting New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, artist Mel Chin learned about the silent storm of lead contamination that has been plaguing the city and the rest of the country for decades. Hundreds of thousands of children are exposed each year with far-reaching consequences that play out over a lifetime.
Recognizing the scale of the problem, Mel saw that existing resources were inadequate to respond. He set out to include children as part of the solution. Children and families now have the Fundred Dollar Bill Project. Through individual drawings, their voices can be tangibly represented in a powerful call for a lead-free future.
The Fundred Reserve Open Lab, a temporary community space in DC where the Fundred Project piloted numerous relational approaches, enabled the Fundred Project team to pursue new partnerships and foster new conversations. Listen in on a discussion with Dawne Langford, filmmaker and Fundred Reserve Open Lab curator and Elijah Williamson, designer and Fundred team member as they reflect on the conversations surrounding creativity and community-based problem solving that took place onsite. This interview was hosted by Fundred Project leader Pat Clifford and recorded by Liz Lang.
The Fundred Project, which adopts surrealism and storytelling to fund a solution to the ongoing lead crisis, emphasizes the capabilities of art within politics. While it’s disorienting to engage with large-scale and oppressive issues on the daily, guidance through the “noise” can often be found in art and creative activities. Melissa Mays—Flint resident, lead activist and Fundred team member—and Maps Glover—performance artist and Fundred team member—break down the connections between artistic practice and policy change. The two elaborate on the strength of art, and its ability to offer awareness and hope during pressing times. This interview was hosted by Fundred Project leader Amanda Wiles and recorded by Liz Lang.
Though the Fundred Project was initiated due to the presence of lead in New Orleans, the project’s team quickly addressed the effects of the presence of lead nationally. Engaging with organizations and individuals throughout the country, the project developed several partnerships and relationships with museums and schools within New York City.
Audrey Liu, Fundred team member and Siyona Ravi, cultural worker and Fundred engagement worker, exchange experiences with Fundreds All Over New York—the effort centering expansion and engagement. This interview was hosted by Fundred Project leader Pat Clifford and recorded by Liz Lang.
Safehouse—a residential house transformed into a bank vault and community center—furthered the surrealism of the Fundred Project, as Fundred Dollar Bills lined the walls of the interior. Former Safehouse neighbor Ms. Carol Atlow and previous neighborhood residents Byron Lewis Jr. and Wayne Atlow are joined by artist Mel Chin and MIT CoLab deputy director Taina McField in a conversation recounting their participation in the Fundred Artists of America program.
The program facilitated hands-on engagement, encouraged healing through relaxation and inspired the utilization of creativity through the exploration of Washington, DC, conversation with Fundred artists representing various communities, meeting with policymakers and more.
Featured as part of the Brooklyn Museum’s popular First Saturdays program, S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio and the Brooklyn Museum co-presented VIVA Brooklyn! on the museum’s plaza. The event celebrated the finale of the 14-year long Fundred Project that has connected hundreds of thousands of kids, communities, and policymakers from across the country to advance actions to end lead poisoning. Cultural worker Fabiola Delgado and Mel Chin emceed the program, which entailed Fundred making, a performance from the Blue Angels Drumline and the attendance of the Fundred guards and armored truck, which transported Fundred Dollar Bills around the country. Speakers at the event included elementary students from PS 29, MacArthur award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, Tabitha Williams, Shantal Ferrell and Latasha Garret of Parents for Healthy Homes, on top of a multitude of project-affiliated activists, artists and partners.
The Fundred Project was produced and managed by S.O.U.R.C.E. Studio and made possible by the support of and partnerships with various of artists, individuals and organizations. The 14 year-long project innovating solutions for the ongoing lead crisis came to a close earlier this year.