- * (x)
- Poweshiek County (Iowa) (x)
- Still Image (x)
- 1791-1804 (x)
- Haiti (x)
- Search results
-
-
Title
-
Am I Not a Man and a Brother?
-
Description
-
In this block, the artist has chosen to highlight a commonly used symbol of the abolitionist movement; a slave kneeling with chained wrists held up, begging for his freedom. Created by members of the Clapham Sect of the Church of England in 1787, the image was so popularly consumed, historians have referred to it as a “pièce de resistance” of the campaign. However, the image is controversial to some because of the subordinate and sanitized representation it gives of slavery. Rather than portraying a reality of enslavement, torture, oppression, and resistance, the image appealed to the abolitionist ideals of morality, virtue, and truth. With this block, the artists urges their audience to grapple with the impact that historically sanitized images of slavery can cause, especially on younger generations. By portraying the slave as begging his oppressors for his freedom and humility, the image has replicated the very hierarchy it is trying to combat. Nonetheless, the image is contextualized with historical importance from the role it played in the abolitionist movement. By re-assessing images of abolition and rebellion, the artist urges people to contemplate popular controversies about the glorification of confederate monuments and the legacy of slavery in shaping American national identity.
-
Date Created
-
2017
-
PID
-
grinnell:25494
-
-
Title
-
Bondage and Freedom
-
Description
-
This block memorializes the pain and violence inflicted on black bodies in both Haiti and America during the time of slavery. The artist has placed drawings of an active foot and hand, body parts most commonly immobilized by chains and ropes during slavery, at the center of this piece, and surrounded them with leaves, flowers, keys, broken chains, drops of blood, and long-lost pieces of jewelry, items evocative of a past left behind and destroyed at the hands of slavery. These items appear to rotate in a circle around the foot and hand caught in the moments before taking a step or lifting the page of a book, giving the piece an element of movement and the feeling of ceaseless change. This piece encourages the viewer to remember the terribleness of physical bondage and enslavement, yet it also celebrates the liberation from these chains and the physical freedom many of us have come to take for granted. Furthermore, it reminds us to always keep moving towards a brighter future no matter what we may have left behind.
-
Date Created
-
2017
-
PID
-
grinnell:25502
-
-
Title
-
Buddhist shrine in China
-
Description
-
Photograph of the interior of a Buddhist temple and what appears to be the main shrine inside the building.
-
Date Created
-
1924
-
PID
-
grinnell:17396
-
-
Title
-
Building next to pond in China
-
Description
-
Photograph of an ornate building, possibly on temple grounds, on the bank of a large pond.
-
Date Created
-
1924
-
PID
-
grinnell:18743
-
-
Title
-
Captured
-
Description
-
This block aims to capture the ironic nature of the institution of slavery. This block includes an image of slaves on a plantation, framed by various found objects. The artist has incorporated a crucifix into the design, signifying the use of christianity as a means justify the enslavement of bodies. The image conjures a feeling of darkened antiquity and tarnish, further accentuated by rusty keys and other metal objects which surround the photograph, alluding to how the people in the image were utilized for the purpose of profit and industry with no attention paid to their human needs. When we consider visualizing freedom we must consider the nexus of capital and material and its effects on the enslaved body, a topic unfortunately still relevant in capitalist America today.
-
Date Created
-
2017
-
PID
-
grinnell:25485
-
-
Title
-
Chicago and North Western Train Wreck, April 23, 1908, De Witt, Iowa, Silver Creek
-
Description
-
View of the wrecked train. On April 23, 1908, southwest of DeWitt, Iowa, at Silver Creek, flooding weakened a bridge and gave way to stock train 132 where an engine and 17 cars of cattle fell into the water. Three crewmen perished in the wreck.
-
Date Created
-
1908
-
PID
-
grinnell:16950
-
-
Title
-
Chinese house with laundry
-
Description
-
This photograph shows a one-story wooden slat house with laundry strung up outside.
-
Date Created
-
1924
-
PID
-
grinnell:17389
-
-
Title
-
Chinese man carrying blankets
-
Description
-
Photograph of a Chinese man on a dirt road carrying blankets in a pouch on his back.
-
Date Created
-
1924
-
PID
-
grinnell:17397