The Colored Girls Museum in Germantown, Philadelphia, has invited Pittsburgh-based artist Vanessa German to install a site-specific work titled 'The House, the Oracle and the Table'. This installation is a spiritual exploration of a century-old house of Black art, and it has sparked curiosity and intrigue among art enthusiasts and the community. The museum, housed in a three-story, 140-year-old twin home, is dedicated to celebrating Black art, and its proprietor, Vashti Dubois, commissioned German to create this work for the museum's 10-year anniversary. The result is a captivating and thought-provoking installation that invites viewers to reflect on the spiritual and cultural significance of the house.
German's work is a spiritual triad consisting of three sculptural pieces: 'The Table', 'The Oracle', and 'The House'. These pieces are made from found objects, such as a chandelier crystal used as a teardrop and a hole in the forehead of a beadwork bust filled with amethyst crystals, representing wisdom. The artist's use of these objects adds a layer of symbolism and meaning to the installation, inviting viewers to interpret and reflect on the deeper messages.
One of the most intriguing aspects of German's work is her use of the black box theater concept. She requested that the living and dining rooms be cleared and painted black, creating a stark and immersive environment. This decision was not only a visual statement but also a symbolic one, as it invited viewers to step into a different realm and experience the installation on a deeper level. Dubois, a theater artist herself, was taken aback by this request but understood the artist's vision and the importance of the black box theater concept in this installation.
The 'Oracle' is a large head of a woman made mostly of beadwork and adorned with objects such as teapots and a braided necklace of bottle caps. It rests on 'The Table', a blue drop-leaf table carved with handprints suggesting a ritualistic laying on of hands. German explains that this table is a place of power and connection, where one can speak to the elements directly and make serious prayers. The 'House' is a large figure with three heads and an amorphous body composed of blue-stuffed fabric balls and blue-painted objects, including bottles, shoes, cups, and vases. The three heads represent the past, present, and future of the house, emphasizing its enduring essence and spiritual significance.
German's work at the Colored Girls Museum is not just a visual spectacle but also a powerful statement about the importance of Black art and culture. She emphasizes the museum's significance as a space where colored girls can be free and safe, speaking directly to the person and asserting that it has been made safe for them to be there. This installation is a testament to the power of art to transform and inspire, and it invites viewers to reflect on the deeper meanings and messages embedded within it.
In my opinion, German's work at the Colored Girls Museum is a powerful and thought-provoking statement about the spiritual and cultural significance of Black art and culture. Her use of found objects, the black box theater concept, and the spiritual triad of 'The Table', 'The Oracle', and 'The House' create a captivating and immersive experience for viewers. This installation is a reminder of the importance of supporting and celebrating Black art and culture, and it invites us to reflect on the deeper meanings and messages embedded within it.
