Predictions:
- Due to prior visits, I predict that we will observe exhibits which correlate with our studies on racial injustices during the late 19th century (i.e. failure of the Reconstruction movement).
- I also believe that the exhibits may portray how racially motivated crimes were still present during the 20th century (how it transcended throughout the last century).
Observations:
We began with an exhibit of compiled works from the Amistad Center for Art and Culture. Not only did this exhibit pay tribute to the lengthy tale concerning a group of mutinous slaves, but also it depicted racial injustices which occurred in the 19th century. The following exhibit consisted of landscape paintings which were believed to depict the tumult within the nation (during the 19th and 20th century). There were differing narratives throughout both exhibits. The Amistad collections conveyed a sense of remembrance and acknowledgement of past injustices. David Washington’s intentionally crude work of art portrayed the claustrophobic and inhumane conditions of slave ships, while William Anderson’s black and white print of a barber shop spoke volumes about the apparent segregation during the mid 20th century. Some landscape paintings blatantly depicted undertones of pride and patriotism, while others illustrated the controversial and tumultuous events occurring during the 19th century. For example, Fredric Church’s vibrant painting of Jamaica represented a lack of unity within the nation. Both exhibits coincided with differing American identities. The first exhibit exemplified the nation’s history of racially motivated injustices and how slavery was preserved as a pinnacle of the country (a supported ideology). In some respects, the second exhibit conveyed a glorified sense of pride, while in others it showed a lack of unity within the nation.
Final Questions:
- What group of individuals would these pompous landscape paintings be tailored to?
- What motivated these artists to produce such moving and powerful works of art?
Sources: http://www.history.com/news/the-amistad-slave-rebellion-175-years-ago
LC Public History Blog 
I really like how you incorporated the more recent information, like William Anderson’s black and white print of a barber shop. I also thought it was very insightful to use images that did not necessarily have characters like that of the painting of Jamaica. It was very interesting how you interpreted it. The only question I really have is how did you interpret the lack of unity in Jamaica from only that landscape? I would love to talk about it. Overall, great blog post!
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