It’s right there in the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence: “the pursuit of happiness” is an inalienable human right, one that our nation is conceived to secure for its people. Unfortunately, we have been reminded over and over again that this is a promise we have not yet delivered to everyone in equal measure.
Recently I talked with two of my Philadelphia Mural Arts Colleagues, Dave Kyu and Magda Martinez, about how artists are working with communities in Philadelphia to explore the idea of the Pursuit of Happiness. We discussed the meaning of socially-based art practices, how the idea of the “pursuit of happiness” can apply to communities as well as individuals, and the idea of cultural belonging, and how that can support personal well-being and community health.
The interview can now be viewed on the website of Philadelphia250, the organization that is mobilizing for Philadelphia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the writing of the Declaration of Independence. I am proud to be consulting with Philadelphia 250 on the planning of creative activation projects.
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