Magician: The Black Body and Portraiture is an exhibition which addresses the depiction of the black form through modern day eyes. It shines light on how contemporary black art and artists simultaneously use and defy the oppressive notions of the past and create a new reality for the depiction of blackness. It brings the past and the present into one space, by showing the ways in which we have created new narratives and visuals in our present, while also highlighting the relationships between spirituality in everyday interactions. The artists in the show highlight aspects of spirituality, originality, and depth, which not only exude from the black body, but fully represent the black community. The artists in Magician use the nuances of color, medium, and their own identification of the black experience to exhibit the spirit of art.
Duel is a film created by Jade Charon which discusses the identification with blackness, the body, and spirituality. It will be previewed and followed by a discussion led by curator Jasmine McNeal. The event will analytically examine the spirituality of the black body as presented through movement, culture, and presence. Participants will be invited to learn about the ways in which understanding the black body involves not only process, but ancestral trust and experience within the self.
