This month has been yet another wild ride, and at the beginning, I was not sure what content would feel “right” to put out in an art-focused newsletter without cluttering the crucial messaging about Black Lives Matter. However, with these monthly newsletters, my main goal is to share work that inspires curiosity and I couldn’t help coming back to the fact that I’ve always found art to be a powerful lens to look at life through. I credit my knowledge of art and art history for a large share of the empathy and understanding I hope to embody in my daily life.
Image: Installation view Calida Rawles, A Dream for My Lilith courtesy of Various Small Fires, Los Angeles
Keeping this in mind, (and as I mentioned on Instagram) the best way I determined to be an ally and continue the meaningful discussions about racism today is to use my skills and platform to share and showcase work by Black contemporary artists. So this month, I’m dedicating my newsletter to the document I put together of incredible Black contemporary artists and I will continue to update from here on out it as it is far from exhaustive.
Check it out here: http://bit.ly/blackartresource.
I hope the quick overview can be used as a jumping-off point for learning more about Black artist’s practices, experiences, and the important messages these artists put forth, today and always.
Image: Installation view Arthur Jafa called Love is the Message, the Message is Death.
Speaking of powerful art, when I did a roundup of the best works of the last decade (in December’s newsletter) I mentioned a video piece by Arthur Jafa called Love is the Message, the Message is Death. The piece has never felt so timely, and to take advantage of the compelling messaging, 13 international institutions have banded together to stream the work for the first time outside museum walls, for 48hrs starting at 2PM today. I HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of this by clicking over to check it out here* - it is only 7 minutes.
So, to close, if I leave you with one thing this month, it is to watch this video and let it move you, I promise you will feel the unbelievable power of art.