Immigrant Voices: Lady Liberty's Lamp
Overview
The “Immigrant Voices” docu-series follows immigrants coming together to reclaim an american icon; the statue of Liberty
Episode 01: Lady Liberty’s Lamp
SERIES: IMMIGRANT VOICES
This summer, Fovrth Studios collaborated with Future of Storytelling’s (FoST) social impact program FoST for Good for #ImmigrantVoices, a 360 video campaign for Global Citizen. FoST for Good’s program pairs forward- thinking non-profit organizations with studio partners to experiment with new forms of storytelling.
EPISODE 01: “LADY LIBERTY’S LAMP”
Fovrth Studios’ first episode for #ImmigrantVoices combines the powerful spoken word poetry of Brad Geyer’s “Lady Liberty’s Lamp,” with the groundbreaking 360-choreography of Ashlé Dawson’s 17-person dance troupe.
On set in New York City’s Battery Park, Geyer and Dawson join forces to tell immigrant stories through the arts of spoken word poetry and dance. Historically, Battery Park was one of the primary ports to receive immigrants after processing in the famed Ellis Island. Immigration has become a hot-button issue in the United States, leaving vulnerable communities targeted, marginalized, and fearful for their families’ futures. Together Geyer’s words and Dawson’s choreography tell an emotional story of what it means to be American in a changing America.
Geyer’s poem “Lady Liberty’s Lamp” highlights the importance of the Statue of Liberty as a beacon of openness and hope. The poem reflects on recent political developments edging the United States into isolation and the impact on America’s collective identity.
Choreographer Ashlé Dawson worked with 17 dancers to create an interpretive dance based on Geyer’s words. The troupe included dancers from all over the world, including Puerto Rico, India, Denmark, and many more — a perfect match to celebrate the diversity of the piece. Originally choreographed for a traditional stage, the number was re-worked to fit the 360 medium.
Project Stats
In Collaboration with: Global Citizen, Future of Storytelling with support from Hewlett Packard, Melcher Media, and Facebook 360 | Series: Immigrant Voices | Season: 01 | Episode: 01, Lady Liberty’s Lamp | Release Date: 29 August 2017 | Watch Full Experience on Facebook 360 and YouTube