Understanding African American History through the Analysis of Exhibits at CAAM
Proposal
Art, as a form of expression, has been for the longest time part of preserving history. During the Stone Age periods, early man would draw on stones aspects of his life, such as animals and plants on the walls of his living caves. Through such simplistic yet detailed forms of art, present generations were able to piece together the life of our ancestors. Today, the historical museum is instrumental in educating on the experiences and past realities of their communities. Specifically, the African American community due to slavery have experienced plenty of adversaries and alteration in their culture through westernized assimilation. For such communities, the existences of museums such as the California African American Museum (CAAM) ensure that their heritage is preserved and passed on to the younger generations. The fact that the country is celebrating Black History Month, I find it significant to pay homage to the African American community by exploring how museums preserve their history through exhibitions. CAAM provides a comprehensive insight on how museums use spaces, display and different shows to communicate the history of a particular community. Specifically, my research aims at analyzing how the LA Blacksmith and the Making Mammy exhibitions within the museum use the art to portray and teach black history.
Thesis: California African Museum preserves the rich African American history through a series of art pieces, metal exhibition and digital platforms as a sustainable method of ensuring the community’s history is not lost with time.
Research Questions:
- What roles does museum space play in the message passed by the pieces it exhibits?
- What are the unique features of CAAM which enable the centre to effectively deliver the history of the African American population?
- Is there any modern inclusion within the museum, such as digital exhibits applied in the educating process?
- What is the essence of the LA Blacksmith and Making Mammy exhibitions?
Outline
Introduction
The introduction will cover the background of the exhibition and give a summary description of the materials hosted. Additionally, there will be a description of the roots of individual African American cultural practises that inspired the pieces in the exhibit.
Significance of the study
The section will give justifications as to why the research is essential. It will address both the educative and cultural importance of the enquiry.
The African American people
In this section, I will give a summary of who the African American people are. The review will include their origin, present locations and an approximation of their future as evidenced by economic, cultural and political realities they face today.
Discussion of the Exhibits
To fully understand the history of the African American community, this section will use the materials displayed in the area to uncover facts. The reasons behind the peculiar characteristics of each display will be analyzed and a connection between the art and the community. The findings will then be classified as political, economic or cultural for clarity.
Conclusion
The conclusion part will summarize the entire essay in a precise yet clear manner.
Main essay
Understanding African American History through the Analysis of Exhibits at CAAM
Introduction
California African American Museum was started in the year 1981 as a centre for preserving black art in an attempt to keep the community’s history. The construction of the museum employed the services of Black professionals who ensured that the design was in line with the needs of the art assembled within the museum. Some of the most exciting exhibitions within this centre include the LA Blacksmith and the Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840-1940. LA Blacksmith displays the diverse art of metal works within the African American community, while the Making Mammy explores the implications of what it meant to be a woman during the period between 1840-1940. The two exhibitions enable the audience to interact with different aspects of the black culture which have been overlooked or forgotten in the hustle and business of modern life as do the 200 African American museums all over the United States of America (Copeland). The exhibitions reflect on the native methods of metal works as adopted from their homeland as well as the challenges faced by black women.
Significance of the study
My research is essential in understanding the role played by African American in the adoption of metal art in America. Secondly, the culture of African Americans has often been suppressed and their contribution either credited to other races or wholly ignored. My research will give the community, through the analysis of their art a voice to claim their .inventions and creative works. The study will, therefore, acknowledge the cultural contribution of blacksmiths. On the educative side, the study will avail an analysis of the origin, type and meaning of several metal arts from the community as a contribution towards preserving such aspects of the Black community.
The African American people
African Americans refer to people of African descents who live in America. The majority of such individuals are the children of slaves who were shipped from different African nations during the slavery trade. During the slave trade, European countries had colonies in Africa from where they collected black individuals to work in Europe and America for free. The trade was characterized by gruesome experiences that subjected the slaves to great suffering. The slaves were mainly transported to America to work on plantations which were initially owned by the British. The slaves were restricted from practising a great deal of their culture and forced to adopt the social systems of their masters. When slavery was officially abolished all over America through the 13th amendment of 1865, the majority of the slaves choose to settle in the States (Infoplease). The African community is known for its ability to use different metals such as copper and iron as an integral part of their artworks. The Bantus are believed to have been the first ethnic group in the African continent to have mastered the art of ironwork and spread their skills to other ethnic groups. When slaves were brought to America, they used the scarce resources they had to put into art their experiences that are now seen as historical artefacts. Today, the African American community has adopted a considerable chunk of the American culture and rarely do they conform fully to their ancestral ways of life. Secondly, members of this race are found all over America. However, in an attempt to redefine their identity and reconnect with their forefather’s heritage, the community has reintroduced aspects of their culture, such as dressing to their experiences. The availing of an entire museum dedicated to the history and culture of the Black community shows the significance of actively preserving their values and heritage for future generations.
The Exhibition
LA Blacksmith displays different types of metal art representing various concepts. The exhibition highlight the political, economic and social aspect of the Western African communities through the art exhibited. The majority of the artefacts are made from metals with significant meaning in African society. Among these metals, iron, bronze, copper and aluminium take centre stage. However, other metals such as steel alloys and gold are displayed in different capacities. The exhibition further consists of a diverse pool of art from sculptures to tools and abstract pieces. The exhibition then connects the past forms of art to the modern aspects of black culture. For instance, on display, the exhibition included a snicker made of metal as a representation of the shoe’s popularity among the members of the African American community. Comprehensively, the exhibition features the works of 21 black metal artists. Some of these artists include Ed Love, Noah Melvin Edwards, Charla Elizabeth, Maren Hassinger, Artis Lane and Betye Saar (California African American Museum). The artists were allocated a space within the exhibition where they can assemble their art to create cohesion and order.
The use of metal in the artistic works displayed in the LA Blacksmith exhibition points to different themes. Firstly, metal is one of the most robust materials on earth symbolizing strength, determination and victory. Putting into account the experience of the African American community with slavery and discrimination, it is easy to connect the art to the history of the community. Secondly, some of the art pieces express different notions, such as the unrevealing of the black man by having his existence turned upside down by slavery as represented by Alison Saar. Matters such as the essence of time in respect to the African American experience are expressed through the display of a red clock by Betye Saar. Specifically, Ed Love’s the Big O series contains a few pieces with significant differences and similarities. On the one hand, the set depicts the physical attributes of African men who are evidently strong and ribbed. On the other, it shows the characteristics of the variable that distinguish them from one another as independent beings.
The exhibition offers a diverse yet synchronized experience to the visitors. The ability to connect past aspects of the African roots that define African Americans with their present cultural characteristics is commendable. Additionally, the pieces on display were able to elegantly represent horrific experiences taking back the power of blacks by artistically refusing to identify as victims but rather, through metallic representation, declaring their triumph.
Conclusion
CAAM renewed my appreciation of the black community. Having an interaction with a portion of what it means to be black in America made me more sympathetic to the community’s struggles. Today, issues such as black shootings and discrimination hinder the community from fully attaining their potential. However, the art displayed at LA Blacksmith affirmed the community’s ability to rise up and emerge victorious in the face of adversity as their ancestors did. African American people are unique and perseverant. Their art is a mirror used to reflect their culture, heritage and pride while connecting the past to the present. The exhibition is a must-visit for anyone interested in understanding the black experience.
Works Cited
California African American Museum. https://caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2019/la-blacksmith
Copeland, Jacqueline. “African American museums help preserve an often ignored history.” Winona Daily News, 5th Feb 2020. https://www.winonadailynews.com/opinion/columnists/jacqueline-copeland-african-american-museums-help-preserve-an-often-ignored/article_b4c609eb-5116-5f22-a091-df6ae074ec4d.html
Infoplease. “History of Slavery in America.” 2017. https://www.infoplease.com/history/us/history-of-slavery-in-america