"Hit thegroundrunning" is a single channel video installation consisting of Ouija board interviews with people who have risked everything for a better life in America. This piece was a finalist for the nomination commission at the High Line Channel in 2023.

Seeking to unearth their stories, I conducted Ouija sessions with artist Cate Woodruff, who, like myself, has psychic abilities within her family history. This project is about sharing optimistic stories through the lens of youth around the turn of the century. It brings moments of joy into this narrative to celebrate this great city. Cate and I had wonderful interviews with 13 spirits who arrived as children to Ellis Island in the early 20th Century. As in my previous projects, chance plays a role. Some examples include Edward, age 7 and Franny, age 9, both from Ireland, who were friends because they lived on 40th Street. Franny appeared on the board right after Edward. She knew the story of Edward finding 7 loose diamonds on their street the year he arrived. His mother saved them for his tuition to Columbia Law School years later. Camnam was an orphaned street performer with his sister, later a business owner, who arrived at the age of 2, in 1910, from India. Within the Ouija footage, are integrated clips from various sources, organically connecting to the conversations.

Every time I look at the Statue of Liberty, I think of my Italian grandfather, Pasquale Baldino. In 1909, he immigrated through Ellis Island at the age of 18. All of my relatives came from Italy through Ellis Island, yet he came alone. Pasquale’s name, along with my grandmother, Filomena, my Americanized namesake, is on the Wall of Honor at Ellis Island. There is only 1 entry in-between their names. It is Frank and Mary Baldino. As an unbelievable coincidence, my parents were also Frank and Mary.

This is the first time I am drawing attention to my full Italian heritage in relation to a piece and in turn, to immigration. Ellis Island played a huge role in the history of New York City. Especially today, the city continues to be shaped by immigration. "Hit thegroundrunning" is a tribute to all who come here, past and present. I dedicated this piece to all immigrants everywhere. Where would we be without them?


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