Footprint Journeys, "Start Here": Eva Hernandez
by City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and The Historical Society Society of Pennsylvania
Dancer and choreographer Amanda Miller and video artist Tony Rothlein incorporated oral history, video and movement with Start Here, a work — part of Journeys South — that drew on first-person stories of individual or familial journeys to South Philadelphia. At the heart of their exploration was the question: "Where do the paths of immigration intersect?"
Footprint Journeys, "Start Here": Eva Hernandez
Eva Hernandez emigrated from Mexico City to New York City, where she met her husband. They moved to Philadelphia eight years ago, and live in South Philly with their children.
“For the first year, I didn’t like it. Why? Because it was a quiet city, not many people. And then after one year, I love Philadelphia.”
“I'm starting reading the history of Philadelphia. I know who came first, the Germans, the Europeans. I want to get involved in all the history of the place where I live so I can explain to my daughter and my son about the city. I know that it's called the Brotherly Love, the Brotherhood. The City of Brotherly Love. I love this city. I think this is very historical.”
“I am very thankful for what the country has gave to me, but I’m paying back. And I don’t see myself in Mexico, not at all. I consider myself Mexican, but I feel more happy here. I feel myself in here. I found something in here that makes me feel part of it. “
Click here to read the full interview with Eva Hernandez!
This project has been funded by The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage through the Heritage Philadelphia Program.
