Carry On Homes / Northern Spark 2018 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Carry On Homes / Northern Spark 2018

This summer MCAD MFA alum Zoe Cinel '18, Shun Jie '18, Peng Wu'13 and Preston Drum '16, produced a multi-functional pavilion, Carry On Homes, in the Commons Park in downtown Minneapolis. Winner of the 2018 Creative City Challenge, the project was part of this year's Northern Spark Festival.

Northern Spark is an annual late-night art festival celebrated throughout the Twin Cities. From Northern Spark, "tens of thousands of people gather throughout the city to explore giant video projections, play in temporary installations in the streets, and enjoy experimental performances in green spaces." This year, the festival's theme focused on commonality within diversity and more specifically, "what do we share when we gather together in physical space?"

Carry On Homes at The Commons is an interactive sculptural installation. From Carry On Homes, the project "host(s) the stories of immigrants in Minnesota, where individuals come together to explore the concept of home through community gatherings, workshops, live performances and personal reflection. Home is a universal idea that transcends divisions by race, religion, gender identity, and class. At home, we belong, we feel safe and we are loved.

"Stemming from the Carry On Homes documentary photography project, this interactive sculptural installation reimagines the home as an open structure. Walls disappear, while invitations to engage appear in the multiple forms of a stage, a colorful mural, a reflecting garden, a photo gallery and a sculpture built from repurposed suitcases."

In addition to its participation in Northern Spark, on Sunday, July 8th, Carry On Homes hosted a day of public events which included a writing workshop, performances, and a free community meal.

Carry On Homes will be installed at the Commons throughout the summer. This project was made possible by the City of Minneapolis’ Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy program in association with Northern Lights.MN and The Commons.

Photography by Tom Bierlein, Rita Kovtun, Kiley Van Note, & Zoe Cinel.


For more information:

Zoe Cinel

Preston Drum

Shun Jie

Peng Wu

CarryOn Homes

Northern Spark Festival

The Commons

The Creative City Challenge

City of Minneapolis’ Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy