In response to recent shootings of African Americans, Betye Saar has revived her iconic Aunt Jemima imagery to create new work that continues to undermine racist stereotypes from U.S. culture. Mounted on a washboard signifying a history of labor performed by African American women, this Aunt Jemima character totes a broom and a gun under the slogan ‘Extreme Times Call for Extreme Heroines.’ (On view in ‘Betye Saar: Keepin’ it Clean’ at the New York Historical Society through May 27th).
Inspired by a 2018 lie-in by high school students in Washington D.C. to protest gun violence, and ghostly profile portraits by Benjamin Tappan in the New York Historical Society’s collection, London-based artist Bettina von Zwehl created portraits of 17 New York high school students intended to recall death masks. The result is a sobering and beautiful memorial to those killed by guns and a powerful plea to stop the violence. (On view at the New York Historical Society on the Upper West Side through April 28th).
Like giant party streamers, over 500 length of pink and orange flagging tape suspended by paperclips from the New York Hall of Science’s rotunda hint at the fun to be had inside. Titled ‘Scattered Light,’ this installation by Dick Esterle includes sunlight reflecting disco balls, adding to the celebratory effect. (Through Sept 2015).
Dick Esterle, Scattered Light (installation view at the New York Hall of Science), flagging tape, paper clips, metal rods, 2014.
