For those of you interested in Kenneth Goldsmith’s reading of the autopsy of Michael there’s a recent art exhibit that just popped up on my newsfeed: http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jul/14/white-artist-recreation-scene-michael-brown-death-divides-opinion
It’s sort of graphic so if you don’t like it, don’t click! But ponder the question- is this appropriate? Too soon? Is it racist?
Statement from the gallery owners and snippets from end of article :
Since then the exhibition has gone viral and has led to hate mail and even death threats directed at the gallery, according to the owners, Andre and Frances Guichard. But they seem at ease with the sharp responses, saying they believe the work will help heal a country torn by racism.
“I think what makes this exhibition really unique is that it’s really bold and blunt, and it’s right in your face,” Andre Guichard told the Guardian. “But when you really think about racism, racism can be bold and blunt and right in your face, too.”
The gallery plans to donate 10% of the money from any artwork sold to a charity aimed at ending police violence. They are currently deciding on the specifics of where that potential gift will go.
Michael Brown’s mother, Lesley McSpadden, was in Chicago last week and attended the opening night of the exhibition. Before arriving, she learned that the piece specifically about her late son was not a photograph, as she had assumed, but an actual recreation of the scene.
She requested the gallery cover it up while she visited because it would have been too painful for her to witness, which they did.
The piece is one of the few being shown that isn’t for sale
Hi Derek- Thanks for posting this. It is a very interesting gallery focused on violence produced by white privilege. When you ask if it is racist, I’m curious as to what your own opinion is? I don’t know if I’d focus on asking if the exhibit is racist, since the purpose behind it is to expose the racism and violence that occurs in the U.S. Perhaps we should discuss white privilege and whether or not the exhibition ” exploits the tragedy black Americans face for profit through the artist’s own white privilege.”
Thanks for sharing – Amanda
I personally do not think this is racist. I think you are correct- I used the wrong word. People are disgusted by this but not because it is racist. I was trying too hard to connect it to Goldsmith’s reading of the autopsy report…. which also was not racist in my opinion but like you said so eloquently above could be an exploitation of black tragedy for white artist’s financial gain.
I honestly do not know the answer to these questions about exploitation. I feel that maybe if I knew the artists better on a personal level I might be able to draw a conclusion on whether or not they are selfish greedy pigs or advocates for social justice.
Thanks for commenting and helping me rethink and revise my statements. The words and ideas are there but sometimes they need massaged to make more sense.