Image by Wangari Maathai International School

Dear writers, readers and friends,

Is nine an auspicious number? Today we present Chapter 09 of Volume 09 of Visual Verse. This month our offering is powered by youth.

Your image prompt has been created by primary school students at the Wangari Maathai International School in Berlin (http://wangari-maathai-schule.de/en/) . Under the guidance of teacher and artist Dee Mulrooney (http://deirdre-mulrooney.com/) , and with a little help from The Curved House (https://thecurvedhouse.com/) , these students have been using art to open up courageous conversations about culture, identity and prejudice.

Through carefully designed visual thinking sessions (check out the VTS method (https://vtshome.org/) if this interests you) and exposure to a diverse and talented range of artists, the students have explored topics that might otherwise feel challenging or confronting. They have found their voice through art and, in doing so, have become active “Artivists”.

In the spirit of ekphrasis, students created this image in response to work by another artist: Berlin-based digital artist and musician, Dara Smith (https://darasmith.wordpress.com/) . The students present this image to you, writers of the world, as a call to action. They have said what they need to say, the way they know how, and now it’s over to you to respond.

The students will be visiting the website throughout the month to read your words. There is no need to simplify your language or ideas for this new audience, but please do keep it appropriate.

We are excited to see what you come up with and to facilitate a conversation between artists and writers across generations. The image is the starting point, the text is up to you.

Kristen
with Lucie, Isabel, Preti and the VV Team