Latino heritage depicted in exhibit

Artists Arturo Lindsay and Fahamu Pecou filled Blackbridge Hall Art Gallery with enthusiasm and passion, which can only be described as Ash?. Ash? is the Yoruba concept of the life force of all things, and they hope to embody its healing and therapeutic powers in their works.
The exhibition, Kindred Spirits, references the African presence in Latino heritage. Ash? is the name of the falsely manifested magazine that spoofs the image packages of current popular culture.
Pecou’s works focuses mainly on the black male image and the callous packages perpetuated and idealized by the media. Lindsay’s work concentrates on the platonic male relationships and the expressions of love. Together, both artists are redefining images of masculinity and attempting to create social change.
“I wonder about the world these days,” Lindsay said. “I want to take action on those issues.”
Pecou and Lindsay collaborated because their lives as individuals truly cross, and everything to the sweat of their brows speaks as the life force between them. Though Pecou was once a student of Lindsay, Lindsay claims to have learned just as much from Pecou as a mentor.
“Pecou helps me look at what people are packaging,” Arturo said, “and unfortunately, now a strong woman on TV is now able to pull a gun and physically harm people. That stereotypical male is now transferred to a woman.”
The relationship between the two artists is more than mentor to student; it is a deep bond that provides a perspective for change that relates to various audiences through humor and comparisons. Sophomore Jessica Baker, a museum studies major, was impressed by the exhibition.
“I think by choosing a popular magazine to do a spoof of, it related well to the audience, especially college students. We are more apt to listen because it affects our generation directly. It appeals to a larger public,” Baker said.
According to Baker, the exhibition was fun and hopefully challenged society. She personally enjoyed the rebellious nature of the exhibit.
“I’ve always wanted to work with contemporary art. I like people who are opinionated. I’m all about getting people angry or rallied up for a cause against traditionalism,” Baker said.
In Pecou’s opinion, the media perpetuates images in our society and no one reacts or takes a stance of opposition when negative types of images are portrayed. Arturo agrees that we, as separate individuals of a society, need to educate a responsible population that will make an effort to stop feeding the machine.
“Intelligent people need to become conscious of it, talk about it, and react to it,” Lindsay said. “When you hear degrading music, turn it off, don’t buy it, and tell other people not to buy it.”
The products of Lindsay and Pecou humorously depict their aspirations for our generation and the future of our society.
“The media is warping us,” Baker said. “However, the artists are warping our generation in an intelligent and artistic way.”
Lindsay agrees that art is a powerful force.
“Art legitimizes certain things. In a very small way, it makes a statement about love and sex, and raises questions using the same tricks, since they have spent a lot of time trying to mess with our minds,” Lindsay said.
By referencing the images of 50 Cent specifically, Pecou imitated images of masculinity through strength and visual wealth. However, to differentiate his artwork from actual magazines of hype, Pecou subtly uses messages and small bold print to indicate his purpose of the hype.
Pecou’s art dissects the absurdity of celebrity culture, black masculinity, and the extravagance of hip-hop culture. While Lindsay’s artwork observes the consequence of rerouting faults of individuals to an entire population, it also explores healing, love, and freedom of individuals and of society.
The Kindred Spirits exhibition will be open for viewing until March 23 and is free of charge. Pecou and Lindsay’s illustration of the Ash? concept cannot be over-looked and will not be forgotten.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 2 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry