PERSEVERANCE v. SUBSERVIENCE / think on it.
‘BLACK DOLLS’ . . FEB 25 – JUNE 5, 2022
NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST at 77TH ST, NYC
TICKETS: VISIT / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SEE INTRO: ‘BLACK DOLLS’ / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PHOTOS FROM THE EXHIBIT . . BY NANCY SMITH / MARCH 5, 2022
‘Doll in blue dress’, Eastern US or Canada, ca. 1865-70
handmade,’scrap/rag doll, cotton, paint / for the features on the face.
male servant / house doll, with an ‘iron enslavement collar’ (looks to be wrapped wire) /
so that he could not run away, and, to keep him mentally . . subservient.
one does not need a caption, to understand that this is an enslaved person.
some dolls are happier play than others / but all – reflect their times.
simple worded wall texts, and display captions – help with the background info and context,
without being . . inflammatory. facts are presented just as straightforward, and honest, . . as could be / with an even-handed emphasis on the doll making, as much as the greater social commentary.
there are also a lot of wonderful, original historic photos / which speak as direct witness to the times.
the text reads:
“Expressions of resilience and creativity, perseverance and pride, love longing. The handmade Black dolls that populate this exhibit have a lot to say. Stitched largely by Black women for their own children or white youngsters under their care, the dolls were ingeniously
crafted from materials at hand. Their faded clothing, torn bodies, and sundry repairs evoke vigorous play and lost conversations, and call up images of the children that cuddled, pampered, and mistreated them.
Made in the U.S. between the 1850s and the 1940s, these dolls span a tumultuous period in American history marked by slavery, legalized segregation, and entrenched racism. These works are mute about their specific histories, yet every stitch and swatch was a deliberate choice. The makers. mostly unknown to us, created toys that expressed their inner lives and intangible feelings while challenging pervasive stereotypes.”
note: the dolls on display are from the collection of DEBORAH NEFF, unless otherwise noted.
the ‘interactive’ stations are both fun, and . . hands-on informative.
this presentation lets you experience the ‘recycled’ / mostly used or left-over scraps / and sometimes straight out . . rags that made up the majority of the dolls.
the so-important black material used for the bodies, and faces usually came from worn-out woolen socks, or finer cotton stockings.
this exhibit is so, so excellent. especially in that it was really fun,
and seriously: thoughtful, a vivid, even intimate learning experience, and, not just a purely conceptual, nor overtly motivated one. glorious DIY – was the order of the day.
deeply rooted, and varied – just like the people who made them.
although harsh reality was not excluded, these after-all were dolls, not weapons.
although if words can be weapons, I guess – so can dolls.
but overall, a joyous pride of improvised creativity, that not only expressed a tough era, and perhaps a hardened ‘inner’ life . . but, which also delighted young children, sets the dominant warm tone /
while demonstrating and explaining the range of skills and fabrication – along the way.
DIY: re-cycled !! hand-stitched !! home-made !! creative !! expressive !! useful.
and, necessary.
where the link to both universal ancestral human artistry,
and, the very ‘heart’ of our cutting-edge contemporary art . . . meet.
I only wish this exhibit – could have continued on through the summer.
and, I bet – I’m not the only one.
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH
~’BLACK DOLLS’ . . NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY / FINAL WEEKEND !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | June 4th, 2022, 8:10am
hand-made dolls of (a troubled) yesterday v. violent video games of (an unthinkable) today /
. . . think about it.
teach those boys – more trades. more skills. teach those boys . . how to knit.
and, it’s not a joke – btw.
if you want to talk about society though the lens of both history and art /
but most specifically: before and after the Internet / this is your . . baby !!!
DO NOT – DO NOT / DO NOT – MISS !!!!!!!!!
ONLY !! 2 weekends – left !!!!!!!!
for tickets: NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY: VISIT
if I was ever – put on this earth for a reason, it was to tell you about . .
this exhibit / it is truly such an amazing, living, breathing . . opportunity !!
it is so right on, so relevant, and even more so / most sadly, today.
and, I do mean: today / May 26, 2022.
presenting a wide range of . . handmade cloth dolls,
made primarily by African American woman between 1850 – 1940 /
this exhibit . . is just so wonderfully laid out – too.
including a rich & charming range of narrative ‘props’, from period sepia-toned photographs, through imaginary dollhouse displays, onto actual antique work baskets, and a nice sampling of the common household, re-cycled materials that were used.
and btw, the exhibit . . includes some of the best written museum text labels, too.
brief, informative, charming, and exact.
this very folk art & history driven exhibit is often surprising, which is so thrilling / but it’s just flat-out definitely super, super interesting . . for all:
from young child, to pre-teen friendship-bracelet weaver, to well: us . . . all.
it is the story of American history, society, and . . . yes: art !!
that’s Art with a capital A / I’m talking . . cutting-edge American art.
and, how we got here.
no doubt about it /
and, the intersection – is an absolute wake-up call.
‘Black Dolls’ . . .
is so full of love, laughter, and . . inevitably: tears.
but, tears / are not . . . death.
tears are not mowing down young children – tears are about raising them up / even in struggle.
heavy-lifting it was. but, tears are not . . violence.
Unidentified photograph, Woman and Children with Black Cloth, handmade Dolls, 1942.
Gelatin silver print, Deborah Neff Collection
image via Instagram @nyhistory / New-York Historical Society
‘BLACK DOLLS’ . . . . Feb 25 – JUNE 5, 2022
NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 170 CENTRAL PARK WEST at 77the Street / NYC
note: including a . . ‘pathway of labels for younger visitors, age 5-12’,
and including some delightful, ‘interactive stations’ – for all !!
I know first-hand !!
for definite sure – I jumped over there / the very first weekend !!
SO .. get those tickets: BOOK YOUR TICKETS !!!!!
more exhibit info: ‘Black Dolls – New-York Historical Society’
‘Black doll in gentleman’s top coat’, 1860-70, Milton, MA / Maine.
hand-made, DIY / mixed fabrics, leather, brass, glass
Deborah Neff Collection
Photo: ELLEN McDERMOTT / via New-York Historical Society
check out: NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY Instagram, @nyhistory
~’BLACK DOLLS’ / NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY / up thru JUNE 5 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 26th, 2022, 9:03am
TO-NIGHT !!!!!!!
ANDREW FRANCIS joins in a big group show . . . ‘RED MEANS GO’ / !!!!!
OPENING SAT MAY 21 / 6 – 10 PM
and runs thru . . JUNE 18, 2022
“PLEASE WEAR RED” . . . . !!!!!
TOMATO MOUSE, 301 Saratoga Ave, Brooklyn NY
HRS: FRI & SAT / 1 – 7 PM
& BY APPOINTMENT
the show is curated by: REBECCA BIRD & ZEV GUSTAFSON
with: ANDREA BURGAY, LUCY WILNER, DAVID McBRIDE, JAYNIE CRIMMINS, JILL SNOFFIETI, TRAVIS CHILDERS, ALEXA HOYER, ANDREW FRANCIS, LENA CHRISTAKIS, TZIREL KAMINETZKY, MEREDITH STARR & DANA LEAVIT
check out: ANDREW FRANCIS on Instagram @andrewmeriwetherfrancis
check out: TOMATO MOUSE GALLERY on Instagram @tomato.mouse
~ANDREW FRANCIS . .’RED MEANS GO’ / GROUP SHOW / TOMATO MOUSE, BROOKLYN / OPENS SAT MAY 21 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 21st, 2022, 12:09pm
if you’re in . . . MILAN !!
check out ‘NY to MILAN’ / a 4 artist group show
running thru JUNE 18, 2022
F2T Gallery, Via Statuto 13, Milan, Italy.
featuring work by:
LIOR MODAN, OPAL MAE ONG, JULIE SEVERINO, STIPAN TADIC
STIPAN TADIC, ‘Rene Smoking’, 2022.
oil on board, 50 x 40 cm.
(roughly: 19-1/2 x 15-1/2 in.)
image via STIPAN TADIC Instagram @stipan.tadic
STIPAN TADIC . . is a painter from Croatia/Zagreb currently based in NYC.
check out: STIPAN TADIC on Instagram @stipan.tadic
check out: F2T Gallery, Milan on Instagram @f2tgallery
~STIPAN TADIC . . ‘NY to MILAN’ / F2T/ MILAN |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 21st, 2022, 11:36am
if, you are anywhere near Vancouver . . !!
and, shout out to . . GUIDO MOLINARI & SIMON CERIGO / ART GHOSTS – DEFINITELY INVITED !! !!
HAPPY 75 !!
MARSHAL HOPKINS !!
MAY THE LIFE FORCE ALWAYS BE – WITH YOU.
“COME SEE HOW MARSHIE – MAKES TURNING 75 / LOOK LIKE FUN” . . . !! !! !! !!
WED MAY 18, 2022 / 3 – 6 PM
723 HAMILTON AVE., NANAIMO, B.C. CANADA
MARSHAL HOPKINS, ‘Honeymoon Swing’, ca. 1984
acrylic on canvas board / 14 x 18 in.
image via Instagram @marshal8463
MARSHAL HOPKINS, ‘Honeymoon Cottage’, ca. 1984
acrylic on canvas board / 14 x 18 in.
image via Instagram @marshal8463
MARSHAL is also an incredible . . musician !! !!
ps: yes, that’s Marsh – on the right / controlling the strings, of course !!
most, def / LISTEN TO:
MARSHAL HOPKINS / VOICE & GUITAR . . . ‘FIRE – SO DON’T PLAY WITH ME’ / Instagram @marshal8463
check out: MARSHAL HOPKINS on Instagram @marshal8463
~HAPPY BIRTHDAY . . MARSHAL HOPKINS !! |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 18th, 2022, 1:45pm
IF, you’re .. upstate !!
NICHOLAS SULLIVAN . . has a wonderful ‘faux realist’ sculpture /
in this diverse media / group show, ‘SHAKER INSPIRED’ . . !!
ORGANIZED BY . . ERIC WOLF
OPENING SAT MAY 14 / 3 – 6 PM
the show runs . . thru JUNE 18, 2022
JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY, 19 Central Sq., Chatham, NY 12037
HRS:
THURS-SAT / 1 – 5 PM
SUN 1-3 PM
NICHOLAS SULLIVAN, ‘BLUE STOVE’, 2022.
newsprint, pigment, steel.
15 x 16 x 24 in.
BTW: Nicholas Sullivan . . custom-makes the ‘tiered’ pedestal / bases – upon which this eerily, almost luminous green, 2 ft. tall ‘stove’
stands upon.
they are in fact, part of the piece,
I say: Bravo !! x 1 million.
they are made in perfect proportions, so much so,
I initially thought this ‘faux’ stove . . was – life-size !!
though, I guess in the right setting, his sturdier faux sculptures, like this . . one could be set down without a base ? as some kind of random curio ?
like an over-sized piece of spectacularly incredible . . dollhouse accessory / furniture.
what can I say ? it’s a strange kind of object. and yet a stove, in form.
well, the imagination – does get . . lit !!
NICHOLAS SULLIVAN / from an angle
both images via Instagram @hows_nick
POSTER ARTWORK: SUE MUSKAT, ‘Every Gain Devine’, 2022
acrylic on paper, 24 x 18 in.
IMAGE via JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY
check out: NICHOLAS SULLIVAN on Instagram @hows_nick
~NICHOLAS SULLIVAN . . ‘BLUE STOVE’/ SUE MUSKAT . . ‘EVERY GAIN DEVINE / ‘SHAKER INSPIRED’ / JOYCE GOLDSTEIN GALLERY, CHATHAM, NY / SAT MAY 14 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 13th, 2022, 12:41pm
if you are in NEW YORK:
NORA BROWN and STEPHANIE COLEMAN
will be playing a show at . . BARBES BROOKLYN
SUN MAY 15 / 6 – 7:30 PM
BARBES, 376 9Th Street, Brooklyn, NY
check out: NORA BROWN on Instagram @little.nb
check out: STEPHANIE COLEMAN on Instagram @stephiecoleman
~NORA BROWN & STEPHANIE COLEMAN / BARBES / SUN MAY 15 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 13th, 2022, 9:10am
if you happen to be in DETROIT . . . !!
‘THE GOOD DAY(S)’ – ARE HERE . . . !!
JEFFREY TRANCHELL . . INVITES YOU TO A:
COMMUNITY PLANTING, COOK OUT, & CLEAN-UP
including . .
a SCULPTURE GARDEN VEILING / featuring works by:
Maya Davis, Kayla Powers, Dmitri Hertz, Orlando Estrada, & Graem Whyte . . !!
& a Sunday Sermon by young Raphielle with . . JONNY CAMPOLO . . !!
FOOD by: CHEF BECKY
SAT & SUN / MAY 14 & 15, 2022 / noon – 5 PM
MAcCay, DETROIT 12333
check out: JEFFREY TRANCHELL on Instagram @jeffreytranchell
~JEFFREY TRANCHELL .. THE GOOD DAY(S) / DETROIT / SAT & SUN . . MAY 14 & 15 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 10th, 2022, 9:50am
HEADS UP !!!
COMIC LOVERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
ADRIAN TOMINE, original ‘prep’ drawing for his now iconic . . ‘covid’ cover /
THE NEW YORKER / DEC 7, 2020.
image via ADRIAN TOMINE Instagram @adriantomine
ADRIAN TOMINE: “I donated this drawing to a fundraising auction for PS 321 in Brooklyn.
It’s the original preparatory sketch for the cover of the December 7, 2020 issue /
THE NEW YORKER magazine.”
BIDDING . . . STARTS: MON MAY 9, 2020 at 9am EDT.
see: go to link in his IG bio
for details @adriantomine
ADRIAN TOMINE, THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE / COVER – DEC 7, 2020
image via ADRIAN TOMINE – IG @adriantomine
check out: ADRIAN TOMINE on Instagram @adriantomine
FROM THE ARTLOVERS – ARCHIVE:
ADRIAN TOMINE, DRAWN & QUARTERLY . . . BOOK-SIGNING TABLE (!!),
BROOKLYN COMICS & GRAPHICS FESTIVAL, BROOKLYN, NY. – DEC 3, 2011
or . . about 10 years ago. (!!)
ARCHIVAL PHOTO & COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
ADRAIN TOMINE, ‘SLEEP WALK and other Stories’,
one of the early ‘graphic novels’ – he was signing.
Publisher: DRAWN and QUARTERLY, BROOKLYN COMIC & GRAPHICS FESTIVAL, DEC 3, 2011
ARCHIVAL PHOTO & COPYRIGHT: NANCY SMITH
see: DRAWN & QUARTERLY /
PUBLISHING HQ – MONTREAL, QUEBEC
check out: DRAWN & QUARTERLY on Instagram @drawnandquarterly
~ADRIAN TOMINE . . ICONIC COVID / NEW YORKER MAG COVER – ORIGINAL STUDY / BIDDING STARTS TODAY – MON MAY 9 |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 9th, 2022, 8:44am
seeing – is !! believing !!
JENNIFER J. LEE . . on view at the KLAUS von NICHTSSAGEND Booth / INDEPENDENT ART FAIR NY
Spring Studios, TRIBECA NY
thru . . SUNDAY MAY 8, 2022
JENNIFER J lEE, ‘Untitled (Plaid Skirt’), 2022
oil on jute (!!)
13 x 9 in. (!!)
image via Instagram @jenny_j_lee
check out: JENNIFER J. LEE on Instagram @jenny_j_lee
check out: KLAUS von NICHTSSAGEND on Instagram @klausgallery
check out: INDEPENDENT ART FAIR on Instagram @independent_hq
~JENNIFER J. LEE . . PLAID SKIRT / KLAUS von NICHTSSAGEND GALLERY, NY / INDEPENDENT |
Posted in The Bomb | By Nancy Smith | May 7th, 2022, 8:44am
