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TORRENTS Art in Transit 23/24

Digital Exhibition

November 9th 2023 - March 30th, 2024

A partnership between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, CulturalDC, and Good Black Art

This exhibition is part of TORRENTS: New Links to Black Futures

Curatorial Statement by Phillip Collins, Founder of Good Black Art

Black creativity is rooted in the Black experience. It touches every part of our lives. As we continue to find new ways of communicating with one another, how will technology shape the future of our imagination, our environments and our social connections?

According to a study by Nielsen, African-American Millennials are trailblazers when it comes to adopting new technologies. The study indicates that 70% of African-American Millennials are fascinated by new technology, and are more likely than other Millennials to try new technology products. Our strong connection to technology didn’t just start with Black folks born after 1981. Black people have pioneered technology for generations. Computer scientist Clarence Ellis, mathematician Dorothy Vaughan, inventor Marie Van Brittan Brown, “Godfather of Silicon Valley” Roy Clay Sr. and many others reimagined our future with curiosity and creativity, making innovation a core component of the Black experience. 

With the ability to create and master all forms of technology, Black people are in a unique place in history. Today, we can own our narratives through many mediums. We can amplify our stories in ways our predecessors did not have access to. We are no longer  “hidden figures.” While our ancestors' creativity laid a strong foundation for us to thrive, the ingenuity we possess today will continue to move our culture forward. This pivotal moment of defining Black futures presents our greatest opportunity yet. 

A partnership between the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, CulturalDC, and Good Black Art and curated by Jamal Gray and Phillip Collins, the Art in Transit Exhibition will explore the concept of the expansiveness of Black creativity through the lens of technology. Taking place in metro stations across the Nation’s capital, Black emerging artists from across the country will share how they utilize technology to advance the collective exploration of the human condition, through mediums ranging from digital to AI, to film, motion graphics, gaming, photography, music, performance and many other mediums that are often left out of the art ecosystem due to lack of commercial viability. These forms of expressions are central to the Black experience in that they help shape our innovation, creativity and unique processes in telling our stories authentically. This exhibition investigates how our ability to innovate continues to expand our imagination, reconstruct our environment and build new social connections.

Celebrate Black innovation with us on your daily commutes until March 30th, 2024.

The exhibition will be on view at the Farragut North, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Gallery Place - Chinatown, L'Enfant Plaza, Rosslyn, and Metro Center stations as well as 1140 Connecticut Ave NW, a Brookfield Property in the heart of Golden Triangle BID.

 
 

Cohort 1/3

 

Brittany Moná

Guidance, 2023

“Combining elements of neo- expressionism, graffiti, and African art, I create abstract mixed-media images, sculptures, and collages of the Black diaspora to celebrate, uplift, and communicate complex emotions of Blackness. My practice is rooted in expressing communal and transformative experiences of Black Americans with an emphasis on ancestral practices and lineages. Using a variety of mediums such as photography, clay, spray paint, wood, digital art, and acrylics, I redefine people, objects, scenery, feelings, and statements, allowing room for multiple perspectives. I use patterns, lines, shapes, and symbols throughout my pieces to pay homage to my ancestors, reproducing familiar visual and aural signs and arranging them in new conceptually layered installations.”

Karla Bussey, Goodwiggle Studios LLC

Break Free, 2023

Break Free is a looping animation that conveys the concept of breaking free in one's mind when one is unable to break free physically. It is a depiction of the average person who is trying to escape reality (typically through consumable content like music, books, or video). It is my goal to empower the viewer with the idea that one can completely free themselves with the power of their mind.

Jordan Brown

Transformerz, 2022

The "Transformerz" music video is a collaboration between musician Kala and the Lost Tribe (@kalaandthelosttribe) and visual artist Jordan Brown (@jupiter.brown). In our pandemic-era virtual process (Kala is based in Brooklyn and I was living in Montreal at the time), we spoke about returning to land and remembering our Afro-indigeneity, and our weekly talks became an experiment in dreaming up our past-future selves. What emerged was a kaleidoscopic journey through multiple dreamscapes, eventually taking to the sky to find a new planet home.

Sydney Buffalow, Cr8tion Rebel

Moon Mama, 2023

As a sustainable artist, I am driven by a deep connection to materials and design processes that transcend the ordinary. I have a passion for materials and design processes that evoke the emotions and feelings associated with transformation, rebirth, and sustainability.

One of my recent artistic endeavors is the "MOON MAMA" digital collage series. In this collection, I incorporate African wax fabric and vintage African photos of women into a lunar and celestial narrative. These pieces represent a harmonious fusion of tradition, culture, and cosmic wonder, inviting viewers to explore themes of rebirth and transformation.

 
 

Cohort 2/3

 

jET CARTER

Rhonda Arose, 2023

Rhonda, nestled in a floral landscape, blends captured footage with hand-drawn colored pencil atop a 3D animation, enhanced by AI technology. Through this piece, I aim to transcend the notion of that robotic Ai artistry by employing AI as a collaborative tool with traditional hand-drawn artwork.

Kameo Chambers

Aurora, 2023

As a curious and intuitive artist, my creative journey is an exploration fueled by a love for travel and a constant desire to experiment. For me, art is a spiritual odyssey, a pathway where I craft my own reality through mixed media technology. In my artistic process, spontaneity is key. I draw inspiration from the world around me, creating first and allowing meaning to reveal itself in the end.

 

Bri Pippens

Lean On Me, 2023

“Lean on Me" is a captivating digital illustration that celebrates the strength of community connection and support. In this piece, minimalist figures stand boldly against a vibrant background, symbolizing the diverse individuals who come together to uplift one another. The simplicity of the figures reflects the essence of unity, emphasizing the power of leaning on one another for strength and encouragement. Through its vibrant palette and minimalist design, the artwork captures the beauty of shared strength and the importance of communal support in our journey through life.

 
 
 

Cohort 3/3

 

Abieyuwa Eigbobo

Omi, 2023

As a multidisciplinary artist, my work delves into the complexities of being a Black woman in contemporary society. Through the use of technology, I strive to create thought-provoking pieces that explore themes such as colorism, cultural pride, and mental health. My artwork is deeply rooted in my Esan & Igbo culture, and it is important to me to represent the narratives and lived experiences of Black women. 

Throughout my artistic journey, I have been driven by the need to address the historical marginalization of Black women. It is my aim to showcase the resilience and beauty of Black women, while challenging the societal norms and restrictions that have been placed on us. Through my artwork, I seek to empower Black women to define our own standards of beauty and demand the rights and lives we deserve. 

Adrian Loving

Hands On The Pulse!, 2023

Global travel, curiosity and sharing are really the driving forces of my artistic practice. Since my childhood, music has been a lifesaver and a source of spiritual and emotional release. My academic and aesthetic side loves the study and storytelling of art. Art and music are mostly in harmony but often fight for space in my life. Whether it’s creating a video installation or developing an album over months time, I selfishly seem to choose them over many other demands of my time. I also love diving down the limitless rabbit hole of learning about art’s infinite evolution and optimistic possibilities for my creative future. My journey as an artist has taken me through the careers of teaching, music making, and technological experimentation for the past 25 years. As a conscious individual, I have embraced the need to discover, celebrate, and contribute to the necessary dialogue of the Black diasporic experience through my work. I am constantly searching for new challenges and opportunities to take risks and to create experiences in new mediums. “Doors open for the prepared and success awaits the steadfast!  

Rashad Ali Muhammad

Warrior Under the Sun, 2021

 Warrior Under the Sun is my commentary on how we view the complexity and nuances of masculinity, especially in the Black community. Men are conditioned to be strong and not show emotions, which is often seen as a weakness, but in reality, showing all our emotions signifies strength. To experience all our emotions is to be human and a whole person. True strength lies in balancing our masculine and feminine energies.  

Kitoko Diva & Shane Williamson

If you find earth boring…, 2023

 'If you find earth boring...' is a brief cinematic ode. Drawing from 'Space is the Place,' the film mirrors Sun Ra's visionary scene, echoing his call to action at the 'Outerspace employment agency.' In this short, Black individuals across D.C. converge, echoing the call for a cosmic journey, blending cultural homage with the universal quest for exploration and liberation. 

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