Nathaniel Donnett is a visual artist based in Houston, and someone that I have looked up to for years. As my career has progressed he has acted as a mentor, friend, and someone who challenges me to think harder and dig deeper into my concepts.
I was thrilled when he invited me to participate in his project "What's the New News," a public arts project in which artists and writers were commissioned to contribute works relating to Third Ward Houston.
Visual artists were provided with news racks, which were transformed into public art pieces displayed in the Community Artists' Collective during the month of September, and then will be installed out in the public at various sites around Third Ward. Writers provided original works, which will be printed on newspapers and distributed via the news racks.
I took the opportunity to create a piece about an issue that I am passionate about, that of surveillance and policing in communities of color, such as Third Ward. The imagery I used draws from photos that I've taken over the years of signage in the Third Ward, new incidents related to surveillance and policing (both locally and nationally), and maps.
From Nathaniel's statement:
"This project seeks to shine some balanced light on some of the stories that have been written about Third Ward," Donnett explained.
"The value of a neighborhood lies in its people, above and beyond its land and physical characteristics. They are who make it what it is, and this project means news for the people and by the people…and that´s the ´New News,´" he emphasized.
My news rack is entitled "Open and Smile" and will be installed at The Breakfast Klub.
I was thrilled when he invited me to participate in his project "What's the New News," a public arts project in which artists and writers were commissioned to contribute works relating to Third Ward Houston.
Visual artists were provided with news racks, which were transformed into public art pieces displayed in the Community Artists' Collective during the month of September, and then will be installed out in the public at various sites around Third Ward. Writers provided original works, which will be printed on newspapers and distributed via the news racks.
I took the opportunity to create a piece about an issue that I am passionate about, that of surveillance and policing in communities of color, such as Third Ward. The imagery I used draws from photos that I've taken over the years of signage in the Third Ward, new incidents related to surveillance and policing (both locally and nationally), and maps.
From Nathaniel's statement:
"This project seeks to shine some balanced light on some of the stories that have been written about Third Ward," Donnett explained.
"The value of a neighborhood lies in its people, above and beyond its land and physical characteristics. They are who make it what it is, and this project means news for the people and by the people…and that´s the ´New News,´" he emphasized.
My news rack is entitled "Open and Smile" and will be installed at The Breakfast Klub.
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| "Open and Smile" - news rack, collage, surveillance cameras - 2011 |
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| For Oscar Grant |
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| For Chad Holley |
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| rear view of "Open and Smile" - news rack, collage, surveillance cameras - 2011 |
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| Surveillance cameras in the interior |
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