Wanderlust Sunday: Places to Celebrate Freedom of Expression
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| Source: ALA |
So for this week's wanderlust, let's go to places that represent free expression. Where else might you wander to to observe, participate in or just plain celebrate this (American) Constitutional freedom?
Eight Places To Celebrate Free Expression alpha by state | |
 | REVERSE GRAFFITI PROJECT San Francisco, CA Public art is a form of expression that you can find in lots of places. This particular example, to me, is particularly poignant. San Francisco artist "Moose" expresses himself by creating graffiti in reverse. Click here and watch the video — he cleans designs in city thoroughfares to make a statement about the soot. |
 | MAKER FAIRE San Mateo, CA Free expression is really about ideas not words. So I add the Maker Faire to the list. It's a festival for tinkerers and inventors... If something can be ripped apart and reassembled into some new innovation, then you'll find it there. It's an idea that's taken root in other countries as well. The fifth annual MAKER FAIRE BAY AREA event is slated for next May. |
 Source: CBS News | TENNESSEE WILLIAMS LITERARY FESTIVAL New Orleans, LA Books are not the only targets of censors — Plays are often challenged too. Tennessee Williams' A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is a controversial play on that list. A group in New Orleans celebrates it every March with a literary festival dedicated to the famous playwright. Held in the French Quarter, it includes a "Stella Yelling Contest" where participants imitate one of the most famous cries to echo through theaters during the play. |
 | ALGONQUIN HOTEL New York, NY The historic Algonquin Hotel is where celebrated authors, critics and journalists met daily for lunch throughout the 1920's. They were known as the ALGONQUIN ROUND TABLE, which became very famous as their ideas began to spread. According to American Masters on PBS, it remains one of the great examples of an American artists' community. The participants (so far as I know) are no longer around, but the site where they met still stands. If I were in New York, I just might stop in for lunch. |
 | INDEPENDENCE HALL Philadelphia, PA I learned from Ronni's six year-old that Benjamin Franklin initiated the first public library. He was also a framer of the Constitution that was later amended to protect free speech. So what better place to go to celebrate the freedom than Franklin's home town? Philadelphia is home to INDEPENDENCE HALL, where the original document was signed. |
 | CADILLAC RANCH Amarillo, TX The Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo is more than a quirky roadside attraction. It's a place where anyone can visit and make their mark. Ten graffiti-covered Cadillacs are half-buried, nose-down. They serve as a canvas for anyone with a can of spray paint and something to say. |
 | MONUMENT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT Charlottesville, VA In front of the Charlottesville, VA city hall is a monument that pays tribute to an idea rather than an individual or event. The MONUMENT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT is a two-sided 54 foot long by 7 foot high chalkboard, on which anyone can express their views. Alongside the slate structure is a podium that serves as a contemporary soapbox. |
 | LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Washington DC There are many things in DC to visit that represent freedom of speech. But the grandest example is the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. It's the oldest federal cultural institution with a mission to sustain and preserve a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations. With a fascinating array of exhibits, a visit there is more like a museum tour than a stop at your neighborhood library branch. In my opinion, when in DC, this place is must-see. |
Posted by TheWordWire at 10/18/2009 10:28 AM 
Categories: Wanderlust
Tags: cadillac ranch banned books monument to the first amendment library of congress reverse graffiti project algonquin round table tennessee williams literary festival independence hall maker faire
Categories: Wanderlust
Tags: cadillac ranch banned books monument to the first amendment library of congress reverse graffiti project algonquin round table tennessee williams literary festival independence hall maker faire
COOL! I want to go to each of these places.
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I have only been to a few of these places myself. Lots in the world left to see! Thanks for your comment.
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Librarians are our unsung heroes.I used to spend a lot of time at the Algonquin, before the Japanese bought it. My friend lived there, grandson of the owners.
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I'm sure you've got some interesting stories from time spent in New York. I enjoyed reading through your blog -- will continue to read. Thanks for your comment.
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What a great post! You've given me some great places to visit, thank you. Wonderful photos!
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Thanks for stopping by -- appreciate your comment!
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