The Story of the Bulletproof Dreams Child Painters Exhibit

The Bulletproof Dreams Exhibit is an exhibit that focuses on child drawings during the genocide in Gaza. Children drew images of war which were then smuggled out of Gaza into Turkey where we created the exhibit to educate people on what is happening in Gaza. 

This collection of art, known as the Bulletproof Dreams Child Painters Exhibit, quickly garnered attention for its raw, unfiltered portrayal of the resilience and suffering of Gazan children.

When The National Arab Institute and the humanitarian organization Voices for Humanity first saw the exhibit, they were deeply moved. They knew instantly that this powerful collection needed to be shared with the world, and they set their sights on bringing it to Houston. For six arduous months, they tirelessly approached countless venue spaces, including those owned by the city, museums, and private galleries.

However, their journey was fraught with obstacles. They were repeatedly told that the exhibit posed a security threat and would require extensive additional security measures. Venues that initially showed interest often withdrew their offers upon learning the content of the exhibit. At times, Mariam and her team were outright ignored, even after deals had seemingly been made. The consistent pushback revealed a stark and painful reality: there was a profound need for a dedicated space to represent Arab art and narratives in America.

Refusing to be silenced, Mariam made a bold decision. She purchased a space to ensure that Arab stories and art would have a permanent home. This courageous act led to the founding of the National Arab Institute, a sanctuary for Arab heritage and a beacon of cultural pride.

The Bulletproof Dreams Exhibit not only amplifies the voices of Gazan children but also stands as a powerful declaration: we are reclaiming our stories and our narratives. It tells the world that we will not allow our experiences to be distorted or forgotten. This exhibit is more than art; it is a stand for our children, our culture, and our identity.

We are proud of who we are. It's time to establish our culture and showcase it to the world. The Bulletproof Dreams Exhibit is a testament to our resilience and our unwavering commitment to truth and justice. It embodies the spirit of our people, our heritage, and our unyielding determination to be heard.

In this exhibit, we find not just the dreams of Gazan children but the collective heartbeat of our community. This is our story, and we will tell it boldly and proudly.

You can view the exhibit and how it is going to look here 

You can view the Bulletproof Dreams Website for the art that has been digitized

You can see the work that is going into the art work here. 

Fundraising Summary for "Bulletproof Dreams: A Gaza Child Exhibit"

Objective:
We are raising funds to bring the "Bulletproof Dreams: A Gaza Child Exhibit" to Texas, USA. This exhibit aims to educate people about the situation in Gaza through immersive and interactive displays. The exhibit showcases powerful art, multimedia presentations, and informative installations.

Breakdown of Costs

Total Fundraising Goal: $50,000

Equipment Needed

Video Systems:

Optoma GT1080HDR Short Throw Gaming Projector

• Quantity: 50 pcs

HP Z4 G4 Workstation

• Quantity: 5 pcs

MSI GS66 Stealth

• Quantity: 5 pcs

Dataton WATCHOUT License

• Quantity: 4 pcs

Amazon Basics 8K HDMI Cable 30 ft

• Quantity: 40 pcs

APC Back-UPS 850VA

• Quantity: 4 pcs

Windows 10 Home License

• Quantity: 4 pcs

Audio Systems:

Behringer Xenyx X1204USB Mixer

• Quantity: 1 pcs

Logitech Z623

• Quantity: 3 pcs

Amazon Basics Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable

• Quantity: 6 pcs

Services from Smart Source

Projection, Setup, and Mapping

• Smart Source will handle all aspects of projection setup and mapping to ensure high-quality visuals throughout the exhibit.

LED Screens

• Smart Source will provide and set up LED screens to enhance the visual experience of the exhibit.

Art and Installation Costs

Setup Crew / Consumables

• Local event planning and AV companies will provide the setup crew and consumables.

Projection Brackets

• Quantity: 40 pcs

Installation Crew

• Local AV installation services will handle the installation.

Ceiling Grids / Per Linear Meter

• Quantity: 700 LM

Projection Steel Carcass (Grids) Installation

• Quantity: 700 LM

Fabrication and Installation of Art Frames

• Quantity: 15 pcs

Mirror Installation

• Quantity: 5 pcs

Animation Reconstruction

• Quantity: 60 pcs

The Eye - Preparation and Installation

• Quantity: 1 pcs

Free Standing Projection Displays

• Quantity: 10 pcs

Air Freight

• Shipping companies will handle air freight logistics.

Packaging & Crating

• Local packaging and crating companies will provide these services.

Art Deco & Accessories

• Local decor and accessory suppliers will provide the necessary items.

Site Survey Pre-Production Crew

• Local event planning companies will conduct the site survey and pre-production.

Crew Art - Supervisor - Coordinator - Technical Services - Production

• Local event planning and AV companies will provide these services.

Art and Community Support

To make this exhibit successful, we need to create powerful art installations that convey the stories and struggles of Gaza's children. These installations will include:

• Custom-made art frames
• Mirror installations
• Animation reconstructions
• Interactive and free-standing projection displays
• "The Eye" art piece

Community Support

With the help of our community, local artists, and suppliers, we have significantly reduced the costs while maintaining the quality and impact of the exhibit. Please refer to the video of how the exhibit is planning to look in the City of Houston. The address is subject to change depending on our engineers recommendation. We will either host this at 3420 Rusk Street or we will host it at Oliver Street. 

Billboard and Outreach

We will also be using a billboard to share the exhibit with 4 million people. If we can convert 1% of that audience, we should have about 40,000 people reach this exhibit in the state of Texas, including the whole community not just limited to Arabs. This event will also be covered by the news, further amplifying its reach. We also hope that this exhibit can travel. We want this exhibit to reach Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angelas. We currently have teams on the ground in New Jersey, Boston but are looking for volunteers to help us find venue space in the Chicago or Los Angelas area. Please reach out to Mariam Sallam at mariam@voiceforhumanityproject.org or mariamsallam05@gmail.com 

Conclusion

We need your support to bring the "Bulletproof Dreams: A Gaza Child Exhibit" to life. Your contributions will help us cover the costs of equipment, services from SmartSource, and art installations needed to create a powerful and educational experience for all attendees. Thank you for your generosity and support in making this exhibit possible.