How the Arts Shape Public Consciousness in the Lower East Side

A screening of Viva Loisaida, and discussion about the Young Lords & CHARAS

Presented by Lower East Side Yearbook & JUPI BK

By bringing public attention to community issues through art, we preserve our own perspectives of history. Marlis Momber’s Viva Loisaida captures the raw emotions of the predominantly Puerto Rican community in the Lower East Side as they dealt with neglect from the city, and formed their own solutions. Following the film, we will discuss the legacy of the Young Lords and CHARAS, who played a major role in creating community spaces and programs to change the material conditions for our people.   

LES Yearbook is a multimedia archival project led by residents from Lower East Side public housing. It celebrates the spirit and legacy of our community through photography, art, poetry, collaging, and conversations between our elders and youth. This yearbook will serve as a timeline to preserving resident narratives and touching on community wellness, perceptions of space, and finding common ground through shared memory.

This event is part of our current show ¡AN UNBREAKABLE HUMAN THREAD! Movements & People for a Sovereign Borikén, on view at Interference Archive through September 13, 2026.