This summer, I was fortunate enough to intern at the Met in New York City. In addition to giving public tours, I worked under a curator and did the research for (and helped to organize) an exhibition called, Provocative Visions: Race and Identity (Selections from the Permanent Collection.) The exhibition is comprised of the artwork of seven living black American artists. It features the work of Chakaia Booker, Willie Cole, Glenn Ligon, Whitfield Lovell, Alison Saar, Lorna Simpson, and Kara Walker. As the title suggests, it is a very thought-provoking exhibition that looks at the ways in which each artist confronts presumptions concerning race, gender, and identity. The materials used to create the works of art vary. The artists employ such mediums as tires, bicycle parts, and shoes. The controversial nature of the ehxibition is captivating. It calls into question issues of the past and present, specifically for black Americans. Provocative Visions evokes a feeling of shared emotion between artist and viewer. As you walk into the north mezzanine of the modern art gallery and see the 5-foot-wide linocut, "African / American" by Kara Walker, you will understand my enthusiasm. (If anyone saw Kara Walker's exhibition at the Whitney Museum you know just how "provocative" and interesting her work can be.) But hurry! If you are in the New York City area in the next few days you must go see it, because it closes this Sunday (March 8th, 2009.) For more information on the exhibit, click here for the official Met web page.
Although a science major, my favorite class ever in college was my "race, gender, news" class. Not only did we study these effects on the media but we briefly visited these issues in Art and various other fields. Art was one of the areas I wish we explored a little more because stuff like this fascinates me. Its so introspective yet so relevant in society. The confounding variable in any situation always helps to shine light on that given situation, and this is not different with art in any way. To confront concerns of race, gender, and one's own identity is a fascinating way to capture the full essence of a piece of art as well as understand the reasons and emotions behind its existence. Although extremely enthusiastic now, I missed the chance to go see the exhibit, however I'll make sure to get the author of this post to give me a private tour lol
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