1-800 Happy Birthday: Brooklyn Public Art Installation
A Public Exhibition in Downtown Brooklyn Honoring Black and Brown Lives Killed by Police
Created by Artist Mohammad Gorjestani and Even/Odd
Curated by Benjamin “BJ” McBride
Presented by WORTHLESSSTUDIOS
Opening and Performance by The Healing Project Choir, October 6 5-8pm
On view September 3 - December 1
1-800 Happy Birthday is the centerpiece of 300 Ashland Plaza, with the installation of a Phone Booth which plays voicemails left for all 14 celebrants that are part of the project: Dujuan Armstrong, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Fred Cox, George Floyd, Derrick Gaines, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Xzavier Hill, Donovon Lynch, Sean Monterrosa, Tony Robinson, Mario Woods. The booth itself serves as an altar, commemorating their lives with archival photographs and decorations. The installation is also a gathering place for community events and programming.
On October 6, we came together with community members, partners, and passerby for an outdoor performance in the plaza by the phone booth by Samora Pinderhughes and The Healing Project Choir followed by a reception at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA).
The installation is free and open to the public, viewable 24 hours a day.
In partnership with L10 Arts and Cultural Center, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Two Trees, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL Presents), 651Arts, and Brooklyn Academy of Music.
1-800 Happy Birthday is a multi-format project and living memorial that celebrates the heavenly birthdays of the Black and Brown lives killed by police violence, created by filmmaker and artist Mohammad Gorjestani in deep collaboration with their families. The project is produced by creative studio Even/Odd and the NYC arts non-profit WORTHLESSSTUDIOS in partnership with the social justice non-profit Campaign Zero
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is a not-for-profit local development corporation that serves as the primary champion for Downtown Brooklyn as a world-class business, cultural, educational, residential, and retail destination. Working together with the three business improvement districts (BID) that it manages – the MetroTech BID, Fulton Mall Improvement Association, and Court-Livingston-Schermerhorn BID – the Partnership’s diverse activities include attracting new businesses and improving the environment for existing companies; facilitating the construction of public spaces and streetscapes that promote an active and cohesive community; supporting and promoting Downtown Brooklyn’s cultural assets; and encouraging a unified sense of place and an engaged civic community. For more information, visit www.downtownbrooklyn.com.
The Plaza at 300 Ashland sits at the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District, adjacent to the brownstone Brooklyn neighborhoods of Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, and Park Slope. DBP has partnered with premier Brooklyn arts organizations such as BAM, BRIC, Brooklyn Public Library, Mark Morris Dance Group, MoCADA, 651 Arts, and Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) to offer free, high-quality programming for everyone. Programming at The Plaza at 300 Ashland is made possible by support from Two Trees Management Co.
Donate to THE FAMILY FUND
All donations are processed through WORTHLESSSTUDIOS, a New York–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and are periodically distributed to the participating families.
Your contribution supports the families of Dujuan Armstrong, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Stephon Clark, Fred Cox, George Floyd, Derrick Gaines, Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Xzavier Hill, Donovon Lynch, Sean Monterrosa, Tony Robinson, and Mario Woods, honoring their lives and providing direct support to their loved ones.
