Sep 21, 2017

Black Joy and Collective Memory at Bartram’s Garden

by: Laura Kochman

Photo by Sharon Payne, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden in July 2017.

What does a place look like through the eyes of its inhabitants? What is our connection to place, and what are the ways in which we can name it? Performance collective BARETEETH has been in residence at Bartram’s Garden this summer, testing innovative approaches to building connections between the Garden and its surrounding neighborhood. The multidisciplinary dance theater group is part of Southwest Roots, a companion project of Art@Bartram’s, a multi-year public art initiative focused on and around Bartram’s Garden, Bartram’s Mile, the Schuylkill River, and nearby communities.

In July, neighborhood residents were given cameras and asked to take pictures of special and meaningful places. The resulting artwork was celebrated and displayed at Bartram’s in a photo show, with artist talk back sessions that opened up conversations about Black joy, collective memory, and changes underway at the Garden and Bartram’s Village. A selection of photographs from the show, below, are intimate and powerful observations of the space and the community.

Photo by Azzurion Smith, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Chyna Taylor, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Dejah Clay, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Destine Savage, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Jayden Williams, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Jeovanie Ming, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Leilani Turner, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Letica Mulins, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Marquita Hodges, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Nicole Williams, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Sanaa Burney, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

Photo by Sharon Payne, part of the BARETEETH photo show at Bartram's Garden.

BARETEETH’s catalytic residency at Bartram’s continues with the opening reception for Been Here, a multi-channel installation that showcases neighbors and friends as they perform everyday acts of art and movement, highlighting the creative power that has long existed in these communities. Join us for the event on Friday, September 29 from 6–9 p.m., and return for open gallery hours on the following Saturday and Sunday, September 30 and October 1.

 

Southwest Roots is supported by a creative placemaking grant from ArtPlace America. Art@Bartram’s is supported by the William Penn Foundation.

Last updated: Sep 21, 2017

Art in Philadelphia , Public Art , Special Projects

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share Your Thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Artworks