Senior Explores East Cleveland Through Artistic Dialogue
Media and its influence have always fascinated Aaron Kohn, so it's no surprise that for his senior project at Hawken School he decided to explore the intricacies and the value of story telling. But what might surprise some is that he decided to do it in East Cleveland.
As a child, Aaron’s parents drove him from their home in Bratenahl through East Cleveland and Glenville to a school in Shaker Heights. “In 20 minutes,” says Aaron, “it can feel like visiting three worlds.” In fact, those who don't live in East Cleveland feel unsafe driving through the economically depressed area, which has 6000 abandoned homes. Out of this came Aaron's project titled “I Really Want to get out of my Car.”
During the last two months, Aaron has interviewed people in East Cleveland and has coordinated a culminating public event to be held this Friday, May 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Sculpture Center at 12210 Euclid Ave. At the event, Aaron will exhibit photos (taken from his car) and provide a forum for poets and musicians to tell their stories. “The media conglomerate is much more powerful than the voice of individuals, and I think that people need an avenue to tell their stories, whether they're positive or negative,” says Aaron.
The event will also include an open mic for poetry, oral history, rap, and jazz. More information about the free event can be found at www.getoutofmycar.com. “I want to explore my place in Cleveland and better understand what is around me. Also, I want to remind people of what they're ignoring,” says Aaron.
To hear Aaron's interview with Dee Perry on "Around Noon" on May 28, click here.
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As a child, Aaron’s parents drove him from their home in Bratenahl through East Cleveland and Glenville to a school in Shaker Heights. “In 20 minutes,” says Aaron, “it can feel like visiting three worlds.” In fact, those who don't live in East Cleveland feel unsafe driving through the economically depressed area, which has 6000 abandoned homes. Out of this came Aaron's project titled “I Really Want to get out of my Car.”
During the last two months, Aaron has interviewed people in East Cleveland and has coordinated a culminating public event to be held this Friday, May 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Sculpture Center at 12210 Euclid Ave. At the event, Aaron will exhibit photos (taken from his car) and provide a forum for poets and musicians to tell their stories. “The media conglomerate is much more powerful than the voice of individuals, and I think that people need an avenue to tell their stories, whether they're positive or negative,” says Aaron.
The event will also include an open mic for poetry, oral history, rap, and jazz. More information about the free event can be found at www.getoutofmycar.com. “I want to explore my place in Cleveland and better understand what is around me. Also, I want to remind people of what they're ignoring,” says Aaron.
To hear Aaron's interview with Dee Perry on "Around Noon" on May 28, click here.
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Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Early Childhood, Lower, and Middle Schools, 5000 Clubside Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
Birchwood School of Hawken, 4400 West 140th Street, Cleveland, OH 44135
Upper School, PO Box 8002 (12465 County Line Rd), Gates Mills, OH 44040
Mastery School of Hawken, 11025 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Gries Center, 10823 Magnolia Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
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