Artist Statement

In today's politically correct world we are led to believe that we live the dream of total equality and justice, however, this has not yet been realized. Our installation is a reminder of the contradiction that exists between today's reality and the ideal we strive to achieve. It celebrates the continuing struggle for Civil Rights that will bring Dr. King's dream to fruition. This dream is not physical socioeconomic brutality. It is not insidious exclusion and disrespect. The path to the dream has been darkened by hatred and ignorance throughout the history of this country, but it is illuminated by the love and wisdom of the many proponents of justice our nation has seen. The MIT community forms an important element of the social and technical vanguard, and with this position comes the great responsibility of helping to lead the struggle. The installation in lobby 10 (seen above from Killian Court) is both a call to action and a commemoration to one of America's greatest leaders.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Design Seminar
Professor Tobie Weiner, Will Lark

MLK Design Seminar

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. IAP Design Seminar (17.922) began in January 1999. Taught by MIT administrator Tobie Weiner (a 1998 MIT MLK Leadership Awardee) during Independent Activities Period (IAP), the course brings together MIT and Wellesley students to create artistic and political installations that have been placed in MIT's Lobby 7 and Lobby 10 to coincide with the university's celebration of Dr. King. Projects have included work with children and adults in the Cambridge Community Centers, original songs and performances, benefits for charities, various features in campus publications, and special projects.