National Building Museum Teens

Architecture - Fabrication - Photography - Urban Planning - Design The National Building Museum's Teen Programs use design as a framework to teach teenagers how to actively observe and shape the world around them.

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NOW BEING RUN BY THE COUNCIL

Welcome.

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A Lonely Man

As I sit on the side, watching people pass by, I can only sit here and cry.

                                                                                                  -Gyasi

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CHANGE

Can we change Anacostia?   Certainly we can change Anacostia.  How do we do it?   Hopefully one step at a time.  And, when do we do it?   As soon as possible.  Now that it's your turn go take action.  Go now change, create,clean, and care.     Embrace Anacostia. 

                                         Cassidy

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The Lock

The day had finally come, was it unlocked?  She couldn't tell, too numb to notice the outside.  Why would I, me of all people, come to this place?  So nasty disgusting and trashy.  What’s going through my head, maybe I just wanted to get away from all the bright lights and loudness and people.  Just a day where no development has come: just a day where I step out of the element that I was living in and into an abandoned space just waiting to be unlocked.

Ayo

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A man without a ride once did think,

How not having a ride sure did stink.

So he fought and he quarreled

and stole a bike from a girl,

But his new ride was too small and too pink.

                                                                      Austin

                                                                      Photo by Ayyub

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A splash of vivid color, texture, and something I've never seen around the city.  An interesting area.

Tim

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Drawing by M.E.

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This picture symbolizes the importance of Anacostia Park.  The billboard calls out for help in the area.

                                                                                           Bria

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I took this photo because I wanted to show what is happening in Anacostia.  Specifically the problem with trash; people just litter, they don't care.

                                                                                          DaVon

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Anacostia

In Anacostia, there's art all around

Murals & graffiti paint the town.

Walking down MLK, there's always a buzz

Neighbors chatting & and giving each other hugs.

As you go up the hills

Animals taking refuge in old houses is a thrill,

Anacostia still needs improvement you see

But through good & bad there's still a community.

Deja

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IWWL explores contrast in Anacostia - Photos by DaVon and Martin

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Today IWWL took its first trip into Anacostia!  Here are a few photos from the day!

Photos by Sumaiyah, Lorran

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Investigating Where We Live Starts!

Join us as we explore Anacostia!  Over the next month our IWWL team of teens will research, photograph, and design an exhibition on the historic DC neighborhood.  Check in here, our facebook, and broadcastr @nbmoutreach for updates and participant work!

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NYC subway 1901

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The green roof gardens of Mill Valley Cabins

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Glasgow-based artist Jim Lambie can transform any space into a visual delight with his geometric tape designs. Using everyday vinyl tape, he creates angles and lines of contrasting colors that suggest movement and optical illusions. He can convert a once empty and quiet room into a space filled with energy. As viewers enter a converted space, they instantly have a visual interaction with the artwork.

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This is just so damn cool.

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Installation shots of Jessica Stockholder’s Color Jam, which paints the streets and buildings on State and Adams in Chicago with swaths of rich colored vinyl.

I’ve walked through this space numerous times during the past couple of days. To truly understand it’s power, one must experience it personally. It is both the street as we know it and not the street. The space instantly brightens one’s mood and makes downtown sparkle amidst the grit and noise and wear.