Exhibition Overview
Organizer Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES)
Collaborators National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Meridian International Center
Support U.S. Mission to India
In-Country Partner ReReeti Foundation
About
City of Hope: Gandhi, King, and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign brings to life the profound influence of Mahatma Gandhi's principles on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's fight for civil rights and economic justice. Showcasing the spirit of resilience, the exhibition delves into the Poor People's Campaign, a groundbreaking movement that united diverse communities in a call for equality and systemic change. This travelling exhibition not only examines pivotal historical moments but also underscores their relevance in addressing present-day social and economic challenges. Visitors are invited to reflect on the enduring fight for equality in today's world, and engage with stories of leadership and collective action that continue to inspire movements for justice worldwide.
Exhibition Design and Set Up
The India edition of the City of Hope exhibition is designed using corrugated boxes as display structures, where posters are already mounted to create a visually engaging and structured layout. The posters showcase key moments from Gandhi, Dr. King, and the 1968 Poor People's Campaign, using historical images and text to tell the story. The corrugated boxes serve as a humble yet powerful medium, representing materials that are accessible and familiar to marginalized communities, much like the makeshift structures of protest movements advocating for economic justice.
This setup is flexible, easy to install, and adaptable to different venues while maintaining a strong visual and thematic impact.