For this class we had a field trip to Roosevelt Island.
It is an island with a particular story of being a place where people were secluded in different institutions and with different purposes through out the story of the city, from isolating patients with smallpox, to peaceful retirees or exclusive condo developments.

After a historic overview of Roosevelt Island, people walked over the place making photos, videos, recording sounds, and interviewing people. From real life we went into fiction as the participants had to imagine they met somebody living on the island that would tell them about it. This guide or friend they met was the departing point to develop a character and then create some interaction with the different imaginary residents. This gave us a big range of combinations, characters from the past and the future, all exploring about what is the meaning and history of Roosevelt Island.Participants came up with university students, expresident’s secretaries, and retirees to name a few.

Later we met at the Franklin Roosevelt’s Four Freedom Plaza to talk about the experience of exploring the island and to introduce the characters. We created groups and people started sharing. It was a nice moment to see everybody working as a team and thinking about the future projects that will come out from these collaborations.We are looking forward for the next class to continue working in teams and develop this stories thinking about the final class in May.

Imáges from all participants.  Thanks.