(photo by Lindy Drew)
Our profound thanks to the panel: Kat, Kahlil, Dani, Kevin, MK, Vanity, Lyndon, and Rebecca for their profound truths this evening. Let us endeavor to deserve these truths through our actions in the days to come. Our thanks to all of you who came to this conversation with open hearts and ears, and to all who came also to speak their truth.
Critical Conversations is a program by Critical Mass for the Visual Arts that strives to sustain important dialogues on art in St. Louis. When we began organizing this event (the sixth in an ongoing series) way back in June, we made this a partnership with the Contemporary Art Museum. Our committee planned then to form a panel discussion on Art and the Black Body in a much broader context than just Kelley Walker’s artwork. We did not intend –and do not now intend to— answer for Kelley Walker or CAM for hosting the exhibit.
Throughout the past several days, we at Critical Mass have been listening to our community and we see that some people wish to speak directly to their experience of the artist’s talk here last Saturday, and to talk about the long history between our local black community and St. Louis cultural institutions. To that end, we are going to follow this Critical Conversation with at least one future event. We will hold that planned broader conversation about Art and the Black Body at a later date and in a different location.
We want to provide an opportunity to center black critical voices around what people feel, think and want – – right here, right now.
We acknowledge that many people made their voices heard by NOT attending. We respect and appreciate that action and do not wish for this event to diminish those community members’ voices.
Related Press:
St. Louis Public Radio- Kelly Moffitt
St. Louis Magazine- Chris Naffziger
St. Louis American- Kenya Vaughn
St. Louis Magazine – Stefene Russel
St. Louis Public Radio– Willis Rider Arnold and Jenny Simeone
St. Louis American– Chris King
Hyperallergic– Claire Voon
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Dr. Rebecca Wanzo
Associate Professor, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Associate Director, Center for Humanities |
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Artist who specializes in portraiture and architectural photography. Her recent shows include SOFTen at Museum Blue, Ask Her How She’s Doing at Fort Gondo, and The Divide at Blank Space.
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Artist, museum educator, and visual arts professor. His recent exhibitions include For the Benefit of Man at the Garwood Gallery, Float at Fort Gondo Compound for the Arts, and Of Color for the Great Rivers Biennial. |
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Artist and MFA student. Recent shows include Functionality at the Edwardsville Art Center, Yet Unfulfilled at the Reese Gallery, and Designated Areas at the Delmar Loop Gallery. |
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Vanity Gee
Director of Community Programs and Grand Center Operations at Craft Alliance Center of Art + Design , educator, musician, and cultural curator. |
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Founder of UrbArts , poet, columnist for the WestWord.com, and co-host of Literature for the Halibut on KDHXtra. |
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Make up WORK/PLAY, an interdisciplinary design duo. Their recent shows include Printmaking in St. Louis at the Sheldon Galleries, Art.Work at Westminster Press, and Empowerpoint at the Luminary. |
Critical Mass for the Visual Arts 