In Plain Sight is a coalition of 80 artists, led by Cassils and rafa esparza, united to create an artwork dedicated to the abolition of immigrant detention and the United States culture of incarceration. A highly orchestrated mediagenic spectacle and poetic action, this project is conceived in five parts -- a poetic elegy enacted on a national scale, an interactive website, an anthology docuseries, accessible actions for the public to take to join the movement against immigrant detention, and cultural partnerships producing arts-related education and engagement.
Starting Independence Day weekend 2020, and continuing into the fall, In Plain Sight launched the nation's skytyping fleets to spell out artist-generated messages in water vapor, legible for miles. These messages were typed in the sky over detention facilities, immigration courts, borders, and other sites of historic relevance. As the planes soared, they made visible in the sky what is too often unseen and unspoken on the ground: the appalling, profoundly immoral, imprisonment of immigrants. In Plain Sight helps break through this wall of secrecy, exposing to public scrutiny the sites of detention centers, paid for with your dollars and operated in your name.
In Plain Sight steers the gaze of those sheltered in place into the borderless sky. Although we are living in uncertain times, there is one thing that is certain: we need to work towards ending immigrant detention. Our immigrant community does not have protection from the deadly coronavirus and lacks basic supplies including soap, disinfectant and face masks. We cannot distance ourselves from the fact that this community is faring poorly in this crisis.
In Plain Sight aims to amplify the voices organizing on the inside and outside of detention centers, bringing together artist interventions and direct support for those urgently working towards immigrant justice. We aim to serve the decades-long movement built by people working, often as volunteers, as part of powerful coalitions, networks, and local organizations supporting the immigrant community. Our team, intersectional in our identities, experiences, and expertise, is dedicated to drawing attention to the calls to action crafted by experts on the ground and in communities, and to uplifting the voices of all those currently detained. We strive to do this in a collaborative and intentional manner. We stand in solidarity with all those working to end immigrant detention and the culture of incarceration. We welcome all comments and suggestions regarding how we can further uplift local voices, and center the voices of those who are directly impacted.
Cassils Monument Push, Documentary Film (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 Courtesy of the artist Sites Chosen By: Dominique Morgan, Amy Schindler, Jenny Heinemann
Monument Push was facilitated by Curator Alex Priest Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha Nebraska
Push Captain: Eli Rigatuso Pushers: Erin, Blayney, Alan Brondom, Vicki Carruthers, Chris Cook, E. Cram, Brian M. Dietrich, C.D. Hardy, Karen Harris, Jenny Heineman, Victoria Hoyt, T. Jadrou, Linda Janssen, Josh Johnson, Michael Johnson, Kim Kehloft, Holly Kranker, Karrisa Krybel, Kelly Larder, Michael Latty, Emiliano Lerda, Ryann Lynn, Jackie Miren, Kris Miren, Dominique Morgan, Mick Mulhall, Alex Nelson, Ellie Novak, Monica Ortiz, Alpesh Patel, Alex Priest, Chris Prinz, Risa Puleo, Amy Schindler, Davina Schrier, Christine Schulte, Todd Simon, Amanda Smith, Shan Sumerman, T. Sweeney, Andrew Tatreau, Adam Tyus, Vivienne Tyus, Allison Huerter Tyns, Carol Uvence, Nicholas Watson, Mike Von Weihe, Amanda Zasada
Directed By: Cassils Director of Photography: Alison Kelly Second Camera: Harrison Martin Sound Recording: Nicholas O'bradovich Foley Sound: Cristy Michel Photographer: John Ficenec Editor: Cassils, Arshia Fatima Haq Colorist: Harris Charalambous Sound Design: Kadet Kuhne, Albert Ortega
Thank You: Tyler Owen, Bemis Center for Contemporary Art Holly Barrett, Downtown Improvment District Troy Davis, Curb Appeal Salon Dr. Andjela Drincic, University of Nebraska Medical Center Mike Gaughen, City of Omaha Audio Helkuik Cameron Helkuik Jessi Hitchins, University of Nebraska at Omaha Eris Koleszar Michael Latta Reverend Debra McKnight Urban Abbey Lynn Mytty, PFLAG Deputy Chief Mary Newman, Omaha Police Department Kate Parrish, River City Gender Alliance PVS Steel Tanner Reckling Julie Reilly, Omaha by Design Ryan Sallans Queer Omaha Archives Old Market Business Association Omaha Public Art Commission
The plinth was fabricated by PVS Steel
"Stand Up" Written, composed and sung by Dominique Morgan
Stand Up #blacklivesmatter www.dominquemorgan.com Twitter: @dommorganmusic Instagram: @dommorganmusic Produced by Dmajishin at Icon One Music
Cassils Resilience of the 20% (Body of Work, Ronald Feldman Gallery, NYC), 2017 photo: Cassils with Megan Paetzhold Courtesy of the artist
A Fiery Attack on Gender Norms | TCP Meets Cassils The Creators Project
Supervising Producer: Sebastian Ischer Directors of Photography: Flemming Lauresen Associate Producer: Nicole Cone Voiceover Artist: Kara Weisenstein
Editors: Daniel Ferry, Eduardo Araujo, Dave Gutt, Jeb Banegas Assistant Editor: Ryan Mcglade Executive Producer: Gerhard Stochl Editor-In-Cheif: Marina Garcia-Vasquez Channel Manager: Anna Graizbord
Executive Producers: Shane Smith, Eddy Moretti, Suroosh Alvi, Hosi Simon, Ciel Hunter, Sara Rodriguez VP, Post Production: Mike Daniels Director of Post Production: Veronica Mukhia SUpervisor of Production: Lily Nguyen Post Production Manager: Michael Skinner Ingest Operators: John Stiles, Charis Hoo, Ohan Boodaghians
Post Audio Engineer: Jamie Collazo Colorist: Gabriele Cassia Director, Video Distribution: Jordan Debor Quality Control Operator: Shelly Kamiel
Director of IT: Ariel Rubio Equipment Manager: Dan Meyer Rights & Clearances: Hollister Baffert, Victoria Kelsey Head of Music Licensing & Archival: Ricki Askin Music Supervisor: Taryn Kawata Accounts Payable Manager: Joanne Smith Production Coordinator: Sergio Noriega Production Assistant: Gabriela Dematteis
Cassils Resiliance of the 20%, Installation Image No. 5 (Melt/Carve/Forge, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia), 2016 photo: Cassils with Zachary Hartzell Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 3 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 1 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 4 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 2 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 2 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
Cassils Monument Push, Performance Still No. 6 (Omaha Nebraska), 2017 photo: Cassils with John Ficenec Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Gallery, New York
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