Brooklyn Museum Reaction

Walking through the “Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties” exhibit, there was only one peice in particular that caught my attention, Nickolas Murray's "Gloria Swanson" photograph. Although I admit I have seen this photograph before I have never seen it on display. I admit I am quite obsessed with the 1920's era, its fashion, dancing, Jazz and not to mention the level of elegance and sophistication many women of that time seemed to posses. From the placement of her hands, to the sultry way she gazes at the camera lens, to her choice of attire and even the black and white print. I believe this photograph of Gloria did a phenominal job of capturing the cultural identity of the mid 1920's.


Sanford Biggers is quite notorious for exhibiting works of art that relate to his African American ancestry. As I am myself an African American there are many of his works I feel immediately connect with. Biggers "Lotus" sculpture is by far his best work in my opinion. However the sculpture that demanded everyone’s (including mine) attention was "Blossom". A bodhi tree growing up and through a piano, in my opinion symbolizes how music is meant to be so much more than just a source of entertainment. Music is one of the very very few things that everyone has in common, no matter what genre you prefer. music has the ability to bring us together, to enlighten us. This particular sculpture defined both personal and a variety of cultural identities. While the piano may be an instrument widely used in Jazz (originating in the U.S), the bodhi tree can only be found in India and is sacred.


The "Timothy Greenfield Sanders: The Latino List" was a very interesting exhibition. The surrounding white cloths brought the notion that the artists wanted the viewer to be completely focused on the photographs alone. In them, were a wide range of celebrities who were of Latino descent. In my opinion the exhibits display of cultural and personal identity was fairly obvious. However, what I did notice was that the artist was not particular about whom he photographed there were actors, actresses, entertainers, businessman and educators, all whom seemed to be very successful in their chosen careers.