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Exhibits

Mural

We believe these stories of the COVID-19 pandemic should be accessible to future generations. So in addition to the archive itself, we are proud to share an addition to the landscape of public art in Charlotte – a mural by Abel Jackson on the wall of Lions Services. As the adjacent greenway develops, the mural will be visible to bikers, walkers and others to spark memories of emotions and experiences from the COVID years. We hope that if you come visit Charlotte you will take time to visit this magnificent piece.

The Living Archives mural captures the experiences of Mecklenburg County residents as they navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each figure within the mural symbolizes a range of emotions and experiences, creating visual representation of the community’s collective journey through this unprecedented time.

  • Community Service (Brittany Hunt, model): A woman is depicted handing out meals and food to the elderly, embodying the spirit of community service and the importance of supporting those in need during the pandemic.
  • Anxiety and Stress (Alex Bui, model): A business owner is portrayed with a concerned expression, reflecting his struggle to keep his business afloat while worrying about the well-being of his family and employees. He stands as a symbol of the anxiety and stress that many faced.
  • Sadness and Depression (Delilah Montalvo, model): A woman is shown crying with her hands covering her face, representing the deep sadness and depression experienced by many during periods of isolation and loss.
  • Finding Peace Amid Adversity (George Littlejohn, model): In another scene, a man finds solace by listening to his favorite music, illustrating the idea of seeking peace and moments of joy even amidst the turmoil.
  • Isolation and Fear (Ivonne Uquillas, model): Above him, a mother looks out her window, masked and quarantined in her own home due to COVID-19. Her gaze captures the feelings of isolation and the fear of uncertainty that permeated daily life.
  • Strength and Resilience (Hannah Hasan, model): Finally, a woman looks upward, taking a deep breath, and savoring the simple act of breathing freely. She symbolizes the strength and resilience of the human spirit, appreciating what was once taken for granted.

The Living Archives mural is a poignant reflection of the diverse and profound experiences endured by the community, and serves as a testament to strength and solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Address:
Lions Services, 4600 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28213

Traveling Exhibit

We wanted to honor the communities who trusted us with their stories by sharing those stories with their own neighbors. So we created two traveling exhibits which highlighted the narratives of 24 people in depth. Explore those stories yourself here.

Creative Works

The incorporation of creative work into The Living Archives project has extended the reach and impact of the project beyond traditional audio-visual interviews. By welcoming diverse forms of expression such as poetry, artwork, and written stories, the project can incorporate stories from those who may be more comfortable sharing their experiences in alternative media.

Creative works also bring depth and emotional resonance to the archive, providing a multifaceted view of the community’s experiences. They capture nuances that may be challenging to convey through interviews alone, offering a more holistic representation of the impact of events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, to ensure the inclusion of teen and pre-teen voices in The Living Archives project, Instagram was used as a platform to gather creative contributions. Through this social media platform, the project expanded its reach and enabled teens to share their COVID experiences in a space that was comfortable and familiar. Teens submitted artwork, photography, short stories, music, poetry, video, and animation. Many also earned community service hours. This strategic approach enabled us to gather the perspectives and expressions of the younger generation, often a difficult group to capture in archival work.

To see more, please visit the Vault preserving the Living Archives.

Hand Maps

The project is grateful to the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University for training project staff and ambassadors to use a unique interviewing tool, the Hand Map. The tool was adapted from the Literacy Through Photography (LTP) philosophy developed over 30 years ago.

This self-portrait activity, initiated through a mapping exercise where participants trace their non-dominant hand, has been an essential tool, opening up deeper narratives. Starting with a simple tracing, participants gradually infuse their hand maps with personal information, reflecting aspects of their identity, past experiences, present situations, and future aspirations. The prompt encourages individuals to contemplate their journeys and the people supporting them. This dynamic approach ensures a multifaceted representation of the community’s personal experience and response to the pandemic.

As these hand maps are created, they become not only repositories of information but also aesthetically captivating and revealing artifacts. The richness of detail and the individualized approach taken by participants make these hand maps invaluable additions to The Living Archives project.

Many handmaps can be found with their contributor interviews in the Vault preserving the Living Archives.

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