Our final field trip was to the
Addison Gallery of American Art, with Dr.
Herbin-Triant’s history class, to view and discuss Harlem: In Situ. The exhibit’s curator,
Stephanie Sparling Williams, generously gave us a tour, explaining the
importance of the visual and audial works within the exhibit, and leading the
discussion of what we saw and heard. The photographs and paintings reflect a wonderful
liveliness of the people living in Harlem, from the 1920s to today. Roy
DeCarava’s (1919-2009) Graduation Day
(1949) and Hotel (1962) are striking
in an otherworldly way. Graduation Day
is a stunning image of a young black woman in a light-colored gown (possibly
white), walking down a sidewalk near a wide, trash-strewn alley with newspapers
piled on the side of the street as if being swept and a car advertisement. For
me, this photograph shows the juxtaposition between the stereotype of Harlem
and the reality of this neighborhood of which I know so little.
I remember, when I lived in NY, my
friends and classmates talked about visiting family in Harlem. The energy with
which they discussed their weekend excursions is reflected in the photographs
of Marcus Garvey, Langston Hughes, named and unnamed people, smiling faces
surrounded by picture frames or sober-expressioned ball game observers. Even in
the silver gelatin prints, there’s a vitality and exuberance that is rarely, if
ever, shown in the media. In fact, now that I think more upon the ideas
presented, the entire exhibit shows the contrast between reality and media
portrayals. This exhibit shows creative place-making and meaning-making in not
only the art but also the people and lives portrayed within the works.
What I found most enjoyable about Harlem: In Situ is the exposure to a
distinct and historic place, which straddles the line between myth and reality.
The people that live or lived there, fight for equality (a battle that
continues today) while working and playing together in a way those of us that
have never even visited Harlem will ever understand however much we may think appreciate
it. There are things and places that need to be experienced before we begin to glimpse
the bigger picture.
