This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of A Father’s Lullaby by artist Rashin Fahandej.  According to Rashin, A Father’s Lullaby considers the absence of fathers in communities of color as a direct result of mass incarceration, its life-long impact on children who are left behind and its weight on women and lower-income families, explored through the space of love and intimacy. The project is being developed with community members as creative collaborators, and many local institutions including Boston Center for the Arts, Federal Probation Office, Office of Returning Citizens, and Community Music Center of Boston.

I found A Father’s Lullaby to be a powerful exploration of mass incarceration. The project represents a wonderful example of co-creation. Rashin’s work is research-based and encourages stakeholder and community involvement. The instillation fosters an embodied experience of mass incarceration, encouraging participants to learn more and become involved. The project is a call to action for social justice.

A Father’s Lullaby is currently on display at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and at the Open Spirit Center in Framingham. I highly recommend experiencing it yourself.

Find out more and connect with Rashin at:

http://www.rashinfahandej.com/about

See review in MetroWest Daily news here.