I posted previously about Mary Lynn Buchanan's video tour through the Venice Biennale, and in the video posted above, she continues to share more art from the 2022 Venice Biennale with us. The video features many different artists from many different backgrounds, but today I will be focusing on Simone Leigh. We discussed some of Simone Leigh's work in our art history class and I found it to be really interesting, and this video lets us see a little bit more of her work.
Simone Leigh is an American artist that was chosen to represent the our country at the United States Pavilion. Simone Leigh primarily makes work out of clay and is often associated with African art. The picture featured above, titled Facade, shows the transformation Simone Leigh created for the United States Pavilion. Prior to this transformation, the building followed a neoclassical style. Simone Leigh has transformed it by adding thatched roof, steel, and wood, common elements found in African culture. Simone Leigh's exhibition is titled Sovereignty, and revolves around self-determination and independence from the authority of another. The transformation shown above I think demonstrates that well; as many cultural traditions and groups of people have been forgotten through colonization in the United States. Other histories have been ignored, and Facade reintroduces these cultural styles and traditions.
I couldn't find the name for this sculpture pictured above, but I found it to be a really intriguing piece. For one, the scale is impressive and it is modeled very beautifully. The way the braids of the figure fall to the sides of her face is really pleasing to look at and relates to African art style. What I find interesting is that the figure has no eyes. I like to think about the meaning behind the lack of eyes, and I wonder if it is meant to represent a lack of identity through their cultural and artistic traditions being forgotten about in our society. I also wonder if the lack of eyes may signify some kind of unity, or togetherness, in the sense that community and culture outlasts a single individual. I think these are really interesting themes to think about, and makes me enjoy this piece.
I'm happy Mary Lynn Buchanan has made the work of these artists accessible for those who were unable to visit the Venice Biennale. It's nice to be able to learn about these works by watching her videos. Hopefully one day I can travel to see it myself, in person!
Hi Madison, I remember Simone Leigh from class as well. She transformed the American Pavilion with raffia and female body parts to express colonialization and a sense of identity and belonging. Simone presents contemporary values by visiting the past and bringing it to the present. I think is a way to rewrite history because if there's no past, one is valid.
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Hi Madison, I remember Simone Leigh from class as well. She transformed the American Pavilion with raffia and female body parts to express colonialization and a sense of identity and belonging. Simone presents contemporary values by visiting the past and bringing it to the present. I think is a way to rewrite history because if there's no past, one is valid.
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