Afro-Surrealism
Wednesday, March 27, 7 p.m.
Great Room, Hildreth-Mirza Hall
Guest Editor/ Professor of Race Lecture
Rochelle Spencer gave an hour-long presentation with a thirty-minute period, afterwards, for questions. She used a presentation equipped with links to guide her talk. She showed pieces of artwork, talked about history and discussed the future path for her research.
Professor Spencer was enthusiastic, bubbly and fun to listen to. Moving past the original technical difficulties, her love of the subject carried me through her presentation gracefully. I learned about a topic I had never heard of, or thought needed to exist in Afro-Surrealism and saw some interesting pieces of art that could influence my future work. The history was interesting, but the stunning artwork, that professor Spencer showed, stole the show. I think that there existing a category of stories, art and music completely centered on an African-American protagonist that anyone can write, or create is a beautiful addition to our society.
As I mentioned above, some of the artwork, namely this one sculpture really blew me away. I do not remember the artist, but it was a black form on a canvas with rocks hanging below on these old worn out ropes. I am not positive of what I saw in it, or its true meaning, but it was abstract and caught my eye.
I would rate this event an 8 because while interesting, it did not have a linear path, or one that made sense. Professor Spencer kind of jumped from idea to idea in a rough way.