This September, the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve will host Bridges and Barriers, a regional photography invitational which asks the question, “What brings us together or keeps us apart?”

From the most divisive things in our society to unexpected moments of connectivity, each photographer offers a unique vision of the world, calling for awareness while evoking the common nature in all of us. This dynamic body of work spans traditional analog photography, altered digital images, and multimedia installations, while tackling such important themes as immigration, housing disparities, and racial inequity.

Exhibiting Ohio photographers include Jef Janis, Chuck Mintz, Lauren Pacini, and the youth artists of Shooting Without Bullets, a for-impact organization which deploys artistic activism to break down the systemic barriers which prevent Black and Brown youth from thriving.

A virtual opening reception will be held on Friday, September 25, featuring a video tour of the exhibition, remarks by the artists, and a vibrant, multidisciplinary performance by Shooting Without Bullets that blends hip hop, dance and spoken word.

To accompany Bridges and Barriers, the Artists Archives will host a virtual panel discussion in October, exploring photography as a tool of social justice. Images have taken a powerful place in the fight against police brutality, both as a way to document crimes against people of color and as a means to inspire civil action. Mass access to cell phones and digital photography have also changed the nature of representation, allowing control of who or what is visible to shift from major news syndicates to average citizens.

This powerful program will investigate the ability of images to create both social change and the new face of representation, as well as discuss potential pitfalls of this now ubiquitous media. Panelists include Amanda King, founder/creative director of Shooting Without Bullets, and Dr. Nicole Fleetwood, professor of American Studies and Art History at Rutgers University. Fleetwood is also curator of Prison Nation, a traveling photography exhibition which depicts the “hidden” American prison population, fostering empathy and political awareness to facilitate systemic change.

An additional virtual program will address the geographic divides that have shaped the development of Cleveland. On Wednesday, November 4, Metroparks historian Judy MacKeigan will present The Infamous Bridge Wars of 1836, an illustrated lecture which shines light on a little-known part of the city’s past—the 1836 wars between the east and west banks of the Cuyahoga River.

On November 19, the Artists Archives is thrilled to welcome back select artists from seenUNseen, AAWR’s landmark 2019 exhibition which combined work from the Kerry and C. Betty Davis collection of African American Art and 32 Northeast Ohio creators. About Body | About Face is a small-group, figurative show which explores the representation of African American bodies in culture. Exhibiting artists include Archived Artist Lawrence Baker, Davon Brantley, Amanda King, Lauren Mckenzie Noel, Yvonne Palkowitsh, LaSaundra Robinson and Tony Williams. This mixed media spotlight will feature photography, textiles, and paintings, including a new, renaissance inspired self-portrait by Brantley which challenges the narrow cannon of European art history. Seen AND heard, a series of artists talks focused on issues of race and representation, will accompany the exhibition.

ARTISTS ARCHIVES OF THE WESTERN RESERVE

1834 East 123rd Street

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

artistsarchives.org

216.721.9020

 

BRIDGES AND BARRIERS | SEPTEMBER 25-NOVEMBER 14

VIRTUAL OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 ON ZOOM

ART BITES—ART IN CONTEXT: BRIDGES AND BARRIERS PANEL DISCUSSION OCTOBER DATE TBA ON ZOOM

A dynamic photography invitational exploring what brings us together or keeps us apart.  Curated by the AAWR exhibition committee and featuring the youth artists of Shooting Without Bullets

THE INFAMOUS BRIDGE WARS OF 1836 WITH JUDY MACKEIGAN | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

ART BITES—ART IN CONTEXT | 6-7:30PM ON ZOOM

Join Metroparks historian Judy MacKeigan on Zoom as she shares a little-known part of Cleveland’s past: the 1836 wars between the east and west banks of the Cuyahoga River. Program is FREE; however, please visit artistsarchives.org to register and receive your Zoom link!

ABOUT BODY | ABOUT FACE | NOVEMBER 19 2020-JANUARY 16 2021

VIRTUAL OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19

A small group show exploring the representation of African American bodies in culture, featuring regional creators from seenUNseen, AAWR’s 2019 landmark exhibition of African American art

ART BITES—ART IN CONTEXT | SEEN & HEARD VIRTUAL ARTISTS TALKS

PART I NOVEMBER 2020: DATE TBA ON ZOOM

PART II DECEMBER 2020: DATE TBA ON ZOOM

Featuring the artists from About Body | About Face. Join leading regional African American creators on Zoom as they discuss issues of representation and culture in their work