Dream Outside the Box by Animus Arts Collective, is a sculptural representation of the American Flag installed in early October 2009.  It is approximately 10 feet tall, 20 feet long, and 10 feet wide.  Comprised of stacked, interlocking red, white and blue boxes of various sizes, the result is a “fractalesque, cubistic representation of the American Flag.” Engraved on the boxes are ‘individual American dreams’, quotations, and words of wisdom, from our Founding Fathers juxtaposed with childrens’ quotes from the PS 163 LEAP Program.

The piece is a call to America’s youth to re-vamp, if not reinvent “The American Dream”.  What are the principles this country was founded on?  What’s worked?  What hasn’t?  Each cube is a combination of a student’s own “American Dream” along with quotes from our founding fathers warning us of many of the pitfalls we are facing today.  The intended effect is one of hope, and beauty.  One where we are immediately reminded of blessings that honesty, freedom, and true democracy can bring, while also pointing a way forward as we navigate these tricky times.

Dream Outside the Box, commissioned by the Department of Transportation, Urban Art Program is located on West 97th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenue, New York City. The art installation will be up until September 2010.