This Is What I Think About Art - Christopher Cruz

 

This Is What I Think About Art

I chose Hank Willis Thomas’s Scarred Chest as a piece that interests me because I find scarification to be beautiful, but powerful. The individual in the artwork has Nike-shaped bumps on their skin. I believe this may be alluding to how Nike, just like other corporations or brands, exploit their workers for labor just like the colonists and plantation owners exploited the slaves for their labor. If I was to make a title for which this piece would fit in an exhibition, I would call it, Untold History: Scarification Tales of the Exploited. This exhibition would have various artworks of scarification that depict stories or tales of exploitation in various circumstances, their connection and perpetuation in today’s world.

Quotes

Q1: “At the time, I also discovered writings by Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, which would later grow to become Black History Month. He wrote that “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” I did not want Black art to be a negligible factor. I did not want Black art to be exterminated.” - Kimberly Drew

A1: I agree with this quote from Carter G. Woodson but also it is a powerful statement. Not only is it true, it happens in other parts of the world and reminds of Mexico, specifically the Native American and Afro-Mexican history. It was preserved and passed down without many of the Afro-Mexicans or Mexicans of Native American descent realizing it. This action taken to preserve the history and traditions is similar to the preservation of Black history. I feel like both events align with Woodson's statement.

Q2: “On Instagram, I used pictures of our guests in the gallery to show our audience that they might see themselves there, too. I knew the power of representation and tried to leverage the image in a way that felt authentic.” - Kimberly Drew

A2: I like how Drew used the power of representation to not only attract her audience, but wanted to be authentic. The power of representation is a useful tool and in a world where there are barely any expression and demonstrations of Black bodies and artists, it is sad as the art they create comes from many inspirations and even their spiritual aspects of their homeland’s culture.

Q3: “By the end of the meeting, she asked me to think deeply about what I wanted to say, and, more importantly, how I wanted it to be interpreted. It was not just enough to be angry. I had to be strategic.” - Kimberly Drew

A3: I agree with the importance of being strategic with a message while still trying to convey your emotions. Some of the feelings we feel towards something can be expressed, but when up to the audience, it can appear like just another person complaining or expressing their thoughts in an immature and inconsiderate manner. Art Activism combines both aspects of Art and Activism which is, problem solving and being strategic. In both fields, an artist and activist must find a solution to how they wish to convey their thoughts and ideas while revealing the cruelty of the topic they are focusing on. Problem solving and being strategic in this case is essential to being able to capture an audience’s attention to cause a call for action