The Auburn Avenue Research Library, in collaboration with Gene Kansas Commercial Real Estate along with civic and social residency CONSTELLATIONS, is pleased to announce an exhibition by internationally renowned street artist Gonzalo Borondo. “Voices of the World” features four Borondo works originally created and exhibited on the windows of the historic Atlanta Daily World Building at 145 Auburn Avenue during the 2014 Living Walls Conference, and speaks to the benefit of dialogue between our past and our future.
Borondo, a native of Spain who was then in the U.S. for the first time, chose the Atlanta Daily World Building as the “canvas” for his work after learning about the building’s vital role in Civil Rights history while visiting the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. As the former home of the country’s oldest continuously operating African-American newspaper, the Atlanta Daily World, the building at 145 Auburn Avenue embodies a voice and was the site of key strategy sessions by Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., “Daddy” King, famed Editor C.A. Scott, John Lewis, and others.
In 2008, a tornado tore through downtown Atlanta and ripped the roof off of the Daily World Building, forcing the newspaper to find another home. The building was nearly razed by a developer in 2012, but the community rallied — over 1100 people signed a petition to save the building. In 2014, real estate developer Gene Kansas led a historic preservation effort to bring back the character, charm, and vitality this building has held for over 100 years, garnering awards from The Georgia Trust, the Atlanta Preservation Center, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Atlanta Urban Design Commission. It was during the summer of 2014 that a chance encounter and love for art led to this collaboration and a friendship between two modern-day storytellers.
Through the “voice” of the historic fabric, these works at once teach us about the importance of productive communication, while reminding us about the challenges we still face today.
We are pleased to bring you the story as only art can deliver. “Voices of the World” is a traveling exhibition that aims to reach new audiences curious about the city’s foundational history in race relations and human rights.
Augusta Commons Apartments, providing the perfect balance of comfortable and convenient apartments in Marietta, Georgia, is helping spread the word about this special event happening in our community!
Event Time/Date:
Saturday, May 27, 2017 – 10:00 AM
Event Venue Location:
Auburn Avenue Research Library
101 Auburn Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia 30303