Abolition in Chinatown

In The Future Mural

On permanent display on Mosco Street

In collaboration with artist Jess X. Snow and the Smithsonian APIA Institute, we produced the “In The Future” mural on Mosco Street in Summer 2021.

This mural on Mosco St. in Manhattan’s Chinatown imagines a future where we transcend white supremacy and anti-Asian violence. It was envisioned through a series of workshops with W.O.W. Project youth and painted with members of the W.O.W. Project community. The mural depicts a youth holding a red envelope casting a spotlight on Chinatown elders in monumental embrace as indigenous plants of Lenapehoking (NYC) grow from the concrete and soar into the sky above them.

The mural was later activated using Augmented Reality so visitors can immerse themselves in a virtual healing space of ambient music and letters depicting wishes for the future written by community members. Visitors globally are invited to share an offering that manifests safety, mutual care, and communal protection for the future of our Asian community.

We held a launch event for the mural featuring Asian American poets, musicians, and artists in June 2021.

A cartoon of a human wearing a wish costume with wings and outstretched arms.
Colorful mural on a building featuring two Asian women with elaborate headpieces and traditional attire, surrounded by floral and abstract elements. The mural includes text that says 'In the Future Our Asian Community is Safe'. Two people wearing masks are walking past the mural on the sidewalk.
A large group of people gathered outdoors in front of a brick building, raising their hands in the air during a protest or demonstration.

Mural unveiling in June 2021.

Group of diverse people painting a colorful mural on a brick wall outdoors. Some people are standing, while others are kneeling or sitting, and there are painting supplies on the ground.

Mural painting on Mosco Street.

A group of people painting a colorful mural on a brick wall, some kneeling and others standing, with image references taped to the wall.
A mural featuring a woman with dark blue hair, surrounded by flowers and plants, with a yellow moon in the background. The mural promotes an event titled 'Unveiling Our Future' celebrating Asian community and culture, with details about the date, location, and activities.