DEAR FUTURE: ELEVATING CHILDREN'S VOICES

Dear Future: Elevating Children's Voices @FIT highlights the stories of children living in an orphanage in Cali, Colombia

As I hug my son, drop him off and go about my daily routine, it's difficult to fully grasp the plight of the eight million children in institutionalized care worldwide. Dear Future: Elevating Children's Voices in the Art & Design Gallery at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) offers a poignant glimpse into the "possibilities that emerge when vulnerable children are given the space to dream" [source].The exhibit serves as a powerful reminder of opportunity and opportunity cost, underscoring the importance of nurturing potential. Visitors "explore the children's rich life tapestry through a combination of photography, video work, and vibrant installations." Keep reading to for a closer look...

Installation view

Thoughtfully created artworks draw inspiration from photo and video therapy techniques, Colombian folklore, and ancestral, handmade crafts, revealing the children's dreams and hardships. Centered on the stories of children from an orphanage in Cali, Colombia, the exhibit shows how these children--supported by "grannies"--are encouraged to grow and develop. Guided by their caregivers, the children wrote letters to their future selves which costume designer Felipe Ginebra and fashion designer Isabella Perez have vividly brought to life through stunning wearables. The vibrant handmade ensembles empower the children, offering them confidence and a profound sense of care. Running from August 9 to September 3, Dear Future is a must-see for those who want to experience the transformative power of creativity and hope. 

Video and interactive elements

Vibrant costumes used to bring to life the voices of children 

Spiderman is a superhero inspired bye Esneider, with a superpower of saving people

Blaze is a superhero inspired by Weimar, with a superpower of selflessness

The Granny Program seeks to provide individualized attention to children in orphanages

Detail, up close

An introduction to the Dear Future exhibit

So special!