Week 14: Critical Race Theory
In the book’s introduction, “How to
See a Work of Art in Total Darkness” by Darby English, express how artwork done
by Blacks in America will be regulated by their blackness rather than to their
creative processes. Due to racism America has allowed this to happen in all creation
of building America and sustaining the country. It is easy for audiences and critics
to only see the race of an artist since it is so ingrained into the culture structure.
Which leads to artwork done by Blacks to be tagged as Black Art rather than just
art.
In English’s introduction he examines the interpretation
of David Hammons' Concerto in Black and Blue. This installation had the
audience participate in the artwork. Hammons made the audience members walk around
the museum with blue tinted flashlight to cast shadows or illuminate the pathway
of the individual holding the flashlight. The description of the installation
does not seem to strike one as a race themed art piece, particularly since
Hammons did not provide information on how critics or the audience were to compartmentalize
this exhibit. It is the background knowledge of the artist that made Concerto
in Black and Blue about race. David Hammons is a Black man who has previously
done his artwork based around blackness, so it led to critics believing his
artwork is racial.
Black Art whether it be deliberate in
expressing the race in America or pervious Blackness before slavery or forced
it into the box like Concerto in Black and White. It is bittersweet for
the community affected, Black artists can bring a sense of pride to the community.
Blacks can be seen, admired, and not feared or hated. But English explains, “while
limiting our attention to what these artists have to say about blackness will surely
‘keep the conversation going’ it will also prevent the conversation form going
anywhere particularly new.” It gives a sense that Blackness is limited but
Black people are not limited in their creative expression nor are Blacks limited.
Classification of art done by Blacks shows that Black can do more than talk about
race and still be Black. It would be a
beautiful world to not see color but color matters because it has shaped life expresses
and taking away the label of Black Art is not going to cure the racism in the
art industry or around the world.
Darby English, "Introduction, in How to See a Work of Art in Total Darkness (2007)
Hi, Rachel thought your blog described this weeks reading well. Our Art Institutions seem to have been labeling art from certain artists for decades. This is not only a problem with black artists but for women as well. Why this is still happening today even more so is unbelievable. How do you think critiques can start making a positive change and judge not for the color of an artists skin or gender but for the art itself?
ReplyDeleteThat is a great question! It will take a lot conscience effort on art critics’ behalf to understand that they are looking at art with a basis towards black and female artists. For, a positive change to happen, critics need to open their minds to what is creatively possible for those groups. It seems to me that critics limit their expectations for black artists, so being open minded and having less prejudice that black artist are equal to white artist would benefit the art world.
Delete