New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor Unveils Public Artworks by Ortiz, Travieso, and Oni
This summer, New Jersey unveiled three significant outdoor installations as part of the New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor (NJMML) initiative. Artists Michelle Angela Ortiz, Chat Travieso, and Immanuel Oni created these works through engagement with over 1,000 community members. The monuments are strategically placed across North, Central, and South Jersey, showcasing the unique cultural narratives of each area's primary demographics. In Paterson, Ortiz's pavilion pays tribute to the Nouri brothers and the Fattal family, both of whom are well-known immigrant grocers. A symposium is set for Friday, October 16, at Rutgers University's Zimmerli Art Museum. NJMML Project Director Andrew Urban emphasized the importance of recognizing celebration and reflection, even in challenging times, and commended stakeholders for sharing their experiences as migrants and laborers.
Key facts
- Monumental outdoor commissions by Michelle Angela Ortiz, Chat Travieso, and Immanuel Oni were inaugurated across New Jersey this summer.
- The project is called New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor (NJMML).
- The works resulted from consultations with over 1,000 community stakeholders.
- Locations span North, Central, and South Jersey, channeling culturally specific experiences of prominent demographics in each region.
- Ortiz's pavilion honors the Nouri brothers and the Fattal family, immigrant families who are staple retail grocers in Paterson.
- A symposium will be held at Rutgers University's Zimmerli Art Museum on Friday, October 16.
- NJMML Project Director Andrew Urban said the monuments are distinguished by an awareness that celebration and reflection are not secondary pursuits during crises.
- Urban lauded stakeholders for sharing their time, perspectives, and personal stories related to being migrants and laborers.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Angela Ortiz
- Chat Travieso
- Immanuel Oni
- Andrew Urban
Institutions
- New Jersey Monuments to Migration and Labor
- Rutgers University
- Zimmerli Art Museum
Locations
- New Jersey
- United States
- Paterson
- North Jersey
- Central Jersey
- South Jersey