Final screening and performance tonight at 7pm!

On Saturday, April 19th at 2pm, Jersey City Museum will present the opening performance of we call it the river?, a video installation by local artist and independent curator, Barbara Bickart. The work features the dramatic transformation of downtown Jersey City as seen from the perspective of insiders, born and raised in the city. The afternoon will consist of the video performance followed by a reception with refreshments. Jersey City Museum will host additional video performances of we call it the river... on Sunday, April 20th at 2pm and Thursday, April 24 at 7pm.

we call it the river... is an exploration of the effects that the rapid gentrification of downtown Jersey City has had on the people who live, work, worship, and have ties in the community. For the film, Barbara Bickart collaborated with community members from Segunda Quimbamba, a Puerto Rican drum and dance performance group based in Jersey City. Bickart also worked with Bethesda Baptist Church, among others, to create the original of film. The film encourages audience members to discuss the many various forms of gentrification. ?Perhaps the most significant part of this entire project is the fact that it engages such a timely topic and one that directly affects Jersey City so deeply. New buildings are being built every day in downtown Jersey City. Families are pushed further away as the waterfront becomes home to luxury lofts.? Jersey City Museum Curator Rocio Aranda-Alvarado says about the piece.

Jersey City Resident, Barbara Bickart is an interdisciplinary artist who has been an artist in residence at the Jersey City Museum from October 2007 through March 2008. Her work takes on the form of video installation, video performance and experimental documentary.

Reservations are not required for the events but seating is limited. Admittance is on a first come first serve basis and seating begins 30 minutes before the performance. Visit http://www.jerseycitymuseum.org or email info@jerseycitymuseum.org for more information.