I Am Here

GALLERY

I Am Here was a 2025 collaborative artwork meant to give voice to each member of the SCALE community. (Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences). By writing and decorating a paper butterfly, each contributor could express their reason for being “here”: here at SCALE, here in the location of Somerville/Massachusetts/the U.S., here in this moment, here on earth. 

The symbol of the monarch butterfly was chosen because it is an iconic species here in New England, but also migrates to Mexico for the winter. Hence it is “here” in multiple places, much like many of members of SCALE. While wintering in Mexico the butterflies hibernate together for warmth, covering the trunks of oyamel fir trees in a mesmerizing spectacle. This phenomenon inspired the form of the installation.