Thrown into immigration detention, the Golden Venture prisoners languished in jail for up to three years and eights months, biding their time by making over 10,000 sculptures out of magazine pages, graph paper, toilet paper, and glue. Fast forward to December 2017, when a new exhibit FOLD: Golden Venture Paper Sculptures (October5—March 25) opened at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). Nearby is a replica of the Golden Venture, seen through the prism of detainee’s failed voyage. When I asked if it was possible to contact one of the Golden Venture artists, Rebatta referred me to Cindy Lobach, their art historian, whose lengthy email response reveals just how substantial her involvement has been with Golden Venture detainees. Photo: Courtesy of MOCA “Freedom Birds”Shael Shapiro Golden VentureShael Shapiro BirdcageShael Shapiro Buddha-faced Statue of Liberty atop the U.S. Capitol Dome inside Chinese city walls.

Source: Huffington Post December 25, 2017 16:41 UTC