Klip Collective, led by video and light artist Ricardo Rivera, integrated projection with critical and celebratory storytelling in South Philadelphia’s Marconi Plaza. Rivera lives in the community and envisioned a monument to the multiple generations of immigrants, migrants, and refugees who have made it their home. For Passage :: Migration, he collected the surnames of numerous South Philadelphia families into one immersive text and installation. As Rivera stated, “The names pass over and around the viewer in waves, projected on translucent planes of fabric and smoke, creating a floating sensation. By entering, the viewer would become an active part of the installation, as the projections wash over their body. Like this country, once you enter, you are a part of it.” The artist gathered the names from passenger ship manifests from the Coast Guard Station at Washington Avenue, from books obtained by Monument Lab researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Libraries, and from publications produced by the Mural Arts Southeast by Southeast initiative. Passage :: Migration, was installed for a one-night-only viewing on October 28, 2017.

Artist Statement

We are all immigrants.
A city of immigrants.
Waves of people. Taking flight with hopes and fears.

This immersive video installation surrounds the viewer with the surnames of families that came to Philadelphia through the years. The names pass over and around the viewer in waves; projected on translucent planes of fabric and smoke, creating a floating sensation. By entering, the viewer is an active part of the installation, as the projections wash over their body. Like this country, once you enter, you are a part of it.