caroline kleindienst
grassroots art projects
I created grassroots art projects as an experiment to move beyond the conventional under­standing of art by dissolving the concept of the creator and building bridges between creative and social work. They are conceived to provide a voice to individuals living in conflict or post-conflict areas and third or fourth world regions and communities in order to express themselves through art. Freed from the barriers of the spoken word their visual language reflects the reality of life in their native environment. Moreover, the participation in such projects increases their self-confidence and awareness by giving them the tools to explain themselves in creative and engaging ways. While the projects do not provide solutions for their participants, they assist in raising questions and creating a powerful dialogue and time for reflection.