Give Me Shelter

“Give Me Shelter” is a community storytelling project about the lived realities of “home” in Portland, Oregon. Addressing the ongoing housing crisis, we ask: How can we reimagine public spaces to feel more like home, and uphold dignity and care? How can communities come together to build safety, belonging, and “home” together? The first iteration took place as an interactive art installation, public video installation, conversation, guest speakers George McCarthy and Daniel Cox, and a “home cooking” culinary experience by Michael Patch. The art installation acted as an interactive “monument” -- a functional living room in a public park-- situated on the “Peace Plaza”, a block that holds and is named after the first peace memorial in Oregon, The Peace Chant Plaza . The Peace Chant sculpture is intended to “create a space where people could sit and have quiet time in public”, and it also advocates for peace. Our living room is meant to signify a sense of stability, care, and structure. It’s a shared space that was designed by community members all with diverse relationships to “home”, and meant to redefine public spaces with dignity. The video Installation consisted of photos, audio, and video submissions that responded to the question, “What does Home mean to you?” that we received through an open call. Additionally, our video installation features works by Outside the Frame and an interview by Shawn Tillman.