Mil Mundos en Común - Creatives Rebuild New York

A wooden sandwich board sits on a sidewalk, adorned with vibrant text advertising a local bookstore named 'Mil Mundos.' The board invites passersby with messages in both English and Spanish, offering books, a library, and a space for the community. Additional offerings include mutual aid depot services and Spanish classes. Next to the board, a bicycle is visible, decorated with lush greenery and a bouquet of red and pink roses, adding a touch of nature and warmth to the urban street scene. In the background, parts of a bustling street environment are visible, hinting at a lively local atmosphere.

Mil Mundos en Común

Photo courtesy of Priyanha Nadanasabesan

A group of six individuals posing against a pale pink background. Each person displays a unique and distinct personal style. On the left, a person is wearing a bright orange crop top with black pants and has long braided hair. Tattoos are visible on their arms. Next to them, another person is in a sleeveless outfit with a colorful vest. In the center, a person wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and glittery top stands with an arm around another individual's shoulders, smiling. Next to them is a person wearing glasses and a denim jacket, holding a camera. Another individual, with long hair and a blue-patterned shirt, stands at the end of the line. In front, a smaller individual is crouched, wearing a dark outfit, completing the group. The image exudes a sense of camaraderie and confidence among the group.

Artists of Mil Mundos en Común

Photo by Vicious Kind Studio

A person is seated on a stool facing a camera during a filming session. The individual, wearing glasses and dressed in a light-colored sleeveless outfit with athletic shoes, appears to be speaking or being interviewed. A projected image or video serves as the backdrop, possibly for context or aesthetic effect. A camera on a tripod in the foreground captures the scene, monitored by a person who is reviewing the footage or directing the session. A boom microphone is held above the seated individual, ensuring clear audio recording. Lighting equipment is positioned to illuminate the subject effectively. Various equipment and stands are visible in the background, indicating a professional studio environment.

Stef Pimiento interviews Raina Parikh at Vicious Kind Studios in Brooklyn. August 2023

Photo courtesy of Angel Escalante

Inside a cozy café, two women are engaged in conversation at a small wooden table by the window. They face each other, creating a relaxed and intimate setting. The woman on the left has dark, wavy hair and is wearing a sleeveless black top paired with a purple skirt, while the woman on the right has her hair tied up and is dressed in light-colored casual attire. A video camera on a tripod positioned in front of them indicates the capture of their discussion, and a person holding a large boom microphone to the right implies an ongoing recording session. The setting is warm and inviting, featuring books on shelves and string lights hanging around, giving the space an artistic and eclectic vibe. Outside the window, the urban street adorned with graffiti and brick buildings provides a contrasting backdrop.

Camila Sanguinetti and Yvette Gonzalez at Mil Mundos Books, with Phoenix Ra operating the boom mic. June 2023

Photo courtesy of Angel Escalante

A person wearing a plaid shirt and a black face mask is seated behind a booth displaying a variety of colorful artworks. The artworks include paintings and printed materials with subjects like plants and social messages such as "HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT" and "PUBLIC HEALTH IS A RIGHT." The booth is set against a backdrop with abstract black lines on a white wall, adding an artistic atmosphere to the setting. The person appears engaged and is likely the artist or vendor of the displayed works.

Photo by Meesah Sharma

A person is seated behind a table covered with various images of artwork. They are wearing a black face mask and a dark sweater with tie-dye patterns on the sleeves. The table is decorated with a cloth featuring green leaf motifs. Several photographs or prints are spread out on the table, along with a container labeled 'Sample Only' and a stainless steel tumbler. The background features a wall with abstract, wavy black line artwork. This person appears to be at an art fair or a similar event, engaging with art display.

Photo by Meesah Sharma

The Collaboration

Sonia Castrejón, Ángel Escalante, Priyanha Nadanasabesan, Tzami Rios M., and galle worked with Mil Mundos en Común to enhance cultural, artistic opportunities in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The artists developed a fusion of cultural, educational, and artistic programming for the local community. Programs included documentary production, grief cafes, Día de los Muertos and traditional celebrations, sewing workshops for women with children, art workshops, and food workshops that connected folks to Indigenous knowledge and the Earth. The documentary film told the story of how Mil Mundos Books was created as a vehicle for community building in Bushwick. The artists formed Artists of Mil Mundos Organizing the Revolution (AMMOR), a non-hierarchical decision-making collective that effectively and equitably administered the grant and benefits alongside Mil Mundos en Común. The collaboration culminated in a virtual exhibition with in-depth reflections of each collaborator’s experiences, including samples of their works. AMMOR and subsequent groups formed among the many cross-collaborations will continue their work in engaging across Brooklyn, the rest of New York City, and their home continents.

The Organization

Mil Mundos en Común supports access to essential goods, literature, and digital literacy in Bushwick. Celebrating heritage and building autonomy is both their mission and passion. While the bookshop has always served as a community space, Mil Mundos en Común furthers their mission to empower an autonomous community within Bushwick.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity CRNY has given me to connect with my communities through our diverse grief stories. Priyanha Nadanasabesan

Connecting with local creatives and artivists empowered my identity as a worker-artist; I was given the opportunity to see my work inspire, influence, and educate. Tzami Rios M.

Directing a creative project of this size with my community's support profoundly impacted how I see myself and my role as an artist. Ángel Escalante

Artists

Ángel Escalante

galle

Priyanha Nadanasabesan

Tzami Rios M.

Location

Brooklyn, NY

Communities Served

Immigrant

LGBTQIA+

Youth