Throw them a bone!
Gowanus art and events space Observatory is inviting people to get involved in a project to fund and publicize humanitarian efforts in Africa and Asia.
The workshop will have participants make life-like bones from paper and wires to be displayed in the Washington National Mall and to raise money — a dollar a bone — as a part of the nationwide “One Million Bones” project.
“We want to show people that they can get involved and use art to create something that is meaningful,” said Salvadore Olguin, a director of projects at the Observatory art space.
The Observatory is hoping to attract at least 50 people to the bone-making session, in the hopes of making at least 100 bones.
The workshop is part of a collaborative art installation in Washington designed to bring to light the millions of victims of genocides and humanitarian crises in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Burma.
A foundation dedicated to bettering education for youths is also donating $1 to relief efforts for each bone made.
The project hopes to raise awareness among young people who are forming an appreciation for international politics.
“This is aimed at young adults and teenagers — people who are starting to get a sensibility about these kinds of issues,” said Olguin.
Olguin had planned to provide artists with clay, but Hurricane Sandy changed those plans by flooding the Observatory, causing all of the volunteers to scramble to get the space usable.
Now, participants will make the bones will paper and wire, he said.
“No matter what, the bones end up looking very real.”
Bone making at the Observatory (543 Union St. at Nevins in Gowanus, observatoryroom.org). Nov. 20 at 6 pm, $3.
