Project3

ALINA'S DOLLS

PROJECT

Proposal for Public Art Event and Memorial for Victims of Domestic Violence

ALINA'S LIGHT – Story and Mission

ALINA SHEYKHET was an exceptional young woman, a talented dancer and performer, a devoted daughter, sister and aunt, an avid animal lover, and a diligent student at the University of Pittsburgh when she was brutally murdered by a former boyfriend on October 8, 2017.

ALINA'S LIGHT is a charitable organization established in honor of Alina Sheykhet, whose life was tragically taken in a senseless act of violence in October of 2017. The mission of Alina's Light, among others, is to give voice to the victims of domestic violence through the arts, community events and charitable actions.

ALINA'S LEGACY continues through local and international art performances, events, and exhibits, which draw attention to the dangers of domestic violence, and at the same time, create a unique place for victims and their families to find peace, hope and connection. ALINA'S DOLLS is a project designed specifically for this purpose.

ALINA'S DOLLS – Concept

PERMANENT PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION

would involve photographs of victims of domestic violence installed on a permanent or portable wall base.

Besides the photographs, the wall would also display hand-made or hand-embellished dolls which would represent the victims through clothing, facial features, accessories, or other elements which would make the doll symbolically connected with the victim.
Both will create a compelling visual memorial and tell
the victims' stories.

The victims would be represented by two powerful visual objects – their portrait and their artistic representation.

ANNUAL CREATIVE ART WELLNESS EVENT

Would bring together survivors, families, friends, and activists for an event of healing through art-making.

Art can be a powerful tool of healing, wellness and coping with grief and trauma. Alina's Dolls contemplates an annual event which would create a perfect space for support, companionship, meditation and healing through hands-on doll making and doll decorating.

By making special dolls for Alina's Dolls wall, participants would create unique public memorials to their loved ones.

The event would offer additional ways of dealing with traumatic loss and provide information on available resources.

BROAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

When it comes to fighting domestic violence, the power of community simply cannot be ignored.

Bringing awareness to the issues of domestic violence is one of the most powerful prevention tools.

Showing those who are affected by domestic violence that they are not alone, and sharing valuable resources with them is essential to the overall health and strength of the local community.

Alina's Light events have brought hundreds of people together for a wonderful cause.

United, we can take on the hardest challenges and make our communities safer and better.