The Posner Center for International Development represents the voice of so many, and welcomes the voices of so many. I felt it important for these voices and their missions be heard, with the intention that this art piece bring light to the voices that share home in this space.
 
I wanted to think locally and tie globally. 
 
Phrases
On the map, you will find parts of phrases, facts, missions statements, and opening descriptions found on just a few of the websites of the many organizations that call the Posner Center home. You may also notice that these phrases are translated into just some of the many languages spoken in just some of the countries the Posner Center works with. 
 
The intention was to give voice to the entire community, while being inclusive and recognizing that oftentimes these voices are spoken in other languages besides English. Some of the languages included in this map are: Pashto, Swahili, Khmer, French, Malay, Spanish , Kinyarwanda, Haitian Creole, Ukrainian, Arabic, Amharic, Bambara , Bulgarian, Twi, Tsonga, and Korean.

Let us recognize and celebrate the diversity that lives within this center, this community, this globe. 
 
You may notice that these phrases are placed in the water parts of the globe, to give a gentle reminder that water is life and ties us all together. 
 
Fonts
You may also notice that the fonts of all the listed phrases are different. None of the font styles matter, except the one found in the center of Colorado. I chose a font style called ‘Bison’, to honor and recognize the tens of millions of Bison that once roamed this land, and that were slaughtered and killed for game, in order to build the Transcontinental Railroad and to force Native Americans onto reservations.
 
As the Posner Center begins all public events acknowledging the lands on which events take place, I felt it important to honor this recognition and to acknowledge the original Stewards of this land, the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. You will notice Colorado outlined by four nails in four different colors. These represent the Four Hills of Life of the Arapaho. 
 
For the Arapaho, every Arapaho travels over four hills of life, moving their homes and trail of life up and down between the plains and mountains of Colorado. Each phase of life is connected to a geographical direction, season, color, and food. 
 
Southeast | Infancy | Spring | | Red | Water
Southwest | Youth | Summer | Yellow | Corn
Northwest | Adulthood | Autumn | White | Meat
Northeast | Elders | Winter | Black  | Berries
 
In the center of Colorado, you will notice the word ‘ÉNÓVÁNE ’. This translates from the Cheyenne language to mean ‘home’. 
 
These pieces of information spoke to me while visiting the History of Colorado Center and researching for this piece. I felt it important to remind us that before we answer the questions on a global level, that we first take a moment to remember that the land we stand on today also faced battles and barriers of inclusion.  And that battles and barriers of inclusion still continue to occur today, so close to home. 
 
A special thank you to the History of Colorado Center, for generously offering me a quick visit onto the fourth floor, when I came with questions and curiosity about the history of the lands of Arapaho and Cheyenne nation, and they kindly steered me to the history of the Sand Creek Massacre. I owe them the information I present to you today in regards to the Arapaho and Cheyenne people. I appreciate their kindness and generosity in welcoming me to such important knowledge, freely. Thank you. 
 
Nails
The remainder of the nails are to be completed by you. Because this event (and space) is celebrating collaboration, I felt it necessary that this art piece be completed by the community. So, this piece is yours to finish. 
 
I selected Roofing Nails, to give several nods. My primary message being that of tying to our housing crisis, our overwhelming number of homeless citizens throughout Denver, and the entire world, and to our refugees and immigrants, and all other beings - all yearning for a roof over their heads, and a place to call home. I wanted to emphasize the message that this land belongs to any and none of us, and that all living beings are welcome. 
 
There are approximately 200 Roofing Nails, intended to represent the 200+ cities with which the Posner Center collaborates, and houses within its building. 

Plastic Bag

The Roofing Nails are held in a single use plastic bag, to address the issue of plastics and their effect on our environment, our oceans, and overall global health. 
 
Red String 
Red string was chosen to primarily address Redlining, a racially discriminatory practice of deciding the terms and conditions of loans based on the race and ethnicity of  This once common practice in the Five Points neighborhood and in over ~200 cities throughout the United States is the primary reference in my decision to use red string. 
 
In addition, however, this is a subtle nod to the Red Thread Legend; the Japanese belief that by an invisible red thread, each one of us is connected to someone we are destined to meet and with whom we will make history.  May you soon find the end of your red string and with whom you will make history. 
 
This is also a subtle nod to the Red Line Contemporary Art Center, a non-profit organization located within the Five Points neighborhood, reminding of its support for the arts and positive engagement within the community.  
 
The String Hook
Because I feel that these three questions can continue being answered long past today, I wanted to include the materials in an inviting and participatory way. I chose black steel and iron piping, to give a subtle acknowledgement to the Transatlantic Railroad that affected so many lives, including orphaned lives, throughout the United States. And a subtle reminder to the Bison hunting that happened along these railroads. In addition, a reminder of the influence of steel and iron on a global level, throughout history and today, including in sustainable development.

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My hope is that this piece will continue to be a collaborative piece, for many days past today’s event, allowing a message of continuous global impact to continue to grow for as long as possible.

With gratitude,

Alexandra Lapoule