Wadsworth A. Jarrell (American, b. 1929). Revolutionary (Angela Davis),
1971. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 64 x 51 in. (162.6 x 129.5 cm).
Brooklyn Museum, Gift of R.M. Atwater, Anna Wolfrom Dove, Alice
Fiebiger, Joseph Fiebiger, Belle Campbell Harriss, and Emma L. Hyde, by
exchange; Designated Purchase Fund, Mary Smith Dorward Fund, Dick S.
Ramsay Fund, and Carll H. de Silver Fund, 2012.80.18. © Wadsworth
Jarrell
Introduction
by Nik Whitcomb
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| Nik Whitcomb |
Often art is merely seen as a source
of spectacle. Audiences, especially those of the modern day, experience it with
the sole purpose of being entertained and going home with a smile on their
face. This, however, was not the reason for the creation of art. It is
something that has been a part of society from the beginning of time and came
about as a method of storytelling. Stories are still told through art today,
but I was reminded of the impact that art can have on our trip to the Brooklyn
Museum this past week.
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| Ai Weiwei, 2012. Photo by Gao Yuan |
Currently
the museum is featuring four exhibitions centered around activism: “According
to What?” by contemporary Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, “Submerged
Motherlands” by Brooklyn-based environmental activist Swoon, “Chicago in L.A.”
by feminist artist Judy Chicago, and “Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the
Sixties” by a collection of civil rights activists of the time.
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| Norman Rockwell |
As a Black man it was interesting to
see my history displayed through art in the “Witness” exhibit, but I also
noticed the impact that the art had on those around me. I heard a woman behind
me say, “This was just a little over fifty years ago. This is not ancient
history,” as I was walking through and the experience became much more intense.
That was when I realized that this was not a “feel-good” type of entertainment.
It is fun to look at now, but when it was created this art was tackling big
issues and giving a voice to those that are often silenced. This is something
that is lost in most modern art today and it is in our mission at the Riant to
present purposeful and timely pieces that highlight real things that are
happening in our society today.
Conscious
Dilemmas Exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum
By Catherine Macleod Daigle
As Nik mentioned, the Brooklyn
Museum has aimed to confront how modern art is combined with social justice
movements. Instead of stories being just for entertainment, stories become a
way for people to confront dilemmas surrounding them. Both artists and
audiences can benefit from using art as a way to think about issues we struggle
with in the 21st century.
Think about the famed Frida Kahlo for instance. She channeled
the pain from her traumatic life into her art in order to process everything
around her. Viewers can look at this pain, and be inspired to think about the many
important topics she brings up, such as the loss of a child or the difficulty
of grasping one’s own identity. While this isn’t activism per se, it does
inspires activist-like thinking.
The Brooklyn Museum expands upon
these ideas with an exhibit on the Civil Rights Movement, as well as showcasing
work by Ai Weiwei, the famed Chinese modern artist. His exhibit spans both the
5th and 4th floors of the building and studies the freedom of expression in
countries around the world, focusing on the United States and China. By
juxtaposing all his ideas in one place, he reveals the similarities between
them and how art is capable of uniting previously separated forces.
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957). R itual (detail), 2011-2013. From the work
S.A.C.R.E.D., 2011‒13. One of six dioramas in fiberglass and iron,
148
3/8 x 78 x 60 1/5 in. (377 x 198 x 153 cm). Courtesy of Ai Weiwei
Studio. © Ai Weiwei
The Riant
Theatre, A Reflection Of Our Lives
By Nathiel Tejada
The Riant Theatre has done and is
currently presenting art contemplating activism similar to the different art
pieces displayed at the Brooklyn Museum. 
Riant Theatre uses art as activism
by presenting plays concerning many of the social issues we are tackling today.
The Outing by Afrika Brown and Code of Silence by Van Fisher are two
plays that deal with important and unavoidable topics surrounding us today such
as LGBTQ acceptance, the AIDS epidemic, police brutality and community affairs.
Instead of using theatre commercially for pure entertainment, Riant Theatre is
using this type of art to affect and teach its audience members and hopefully
open a constructive dialogue for healing and change. Performing works of art
that are about different topical issues can do the job of spreading awareness
and could inspire those experiencing it to share what they learned with others.
Theatre, just like art displayed in any museum, should be used to tell a story,
move people’s souls and create a reaction not passiveness. Thus, a story that’s
told effectively through theatre can play an important role to bring about
change, and serve as a catalysis of impacting someone’s life so that person can
do the same with the rest of the world.
What does your #activism look like? Comment below or @RiantTheatre, #StrawberryOneActFestival #TheOuting #CodeOfSilence
The Riant Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival & Strawberry Theatre Festival will be presented at the Theatre at St. Clement's, 423 West 46th Street, NYC
August 20, 2014 through August 31, 2014.
For tickets go to www.therianttheatre.com or call 646-623-3488.
