The E-Spot with Camille Kauer
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Maya Freelon’s Whippersnappers: Recapturing, Reviewing, and Reimagining the Lives of Enslaved Children in the United States debuted on November 16, 2024, at Historic Stagville, transforming the former plantation with sculptures, archival photography, paintings, and collages. This powerful, site-specific installation draws from Freelon’s research on the lives of enslaved children, using archival material from the Library of Congress and North Carolina Historic Sites Collection. Her signature “bleeding” tissue paper technique creates a vivid, dreamlike effect throughout the Bennehan House and barn.
Freelon’s artwork invites viewers to reimagine history with a focus on children’s experiences, using scale and material to emphasize the presence and resilience of lives often overlooked in historical accounts. In the exhibition, six rooms in the Bennehan House are redefined to honor the memories of enslaved children. In addition, a motion-activated soundscape titled Calling In the Children, featuring sound recordings by Nnenna Freelon and Dr. Allie Martin, provides a haunting, immersive experience in Stagville’s historic barn.
The exhibition, running through January 25, 2025, is curated by Art on the Land, a North Carolina Historic Sites initiative led by Michelle Lanier and Johnica Rivers. On opening day, Freelon participated in an artist roundtable discussion, and additional events include a community tissue quilt workshop in December.
Viewing Hours
Whippersnappers will be on view from November 16, 2024, through January 25, 2025, at Historic Stagville, located at 5828 Old Oxford Highway in Durham. Exhibition hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm and by appointment. For viewings by appointment, contact stagville@dncr.nc.gov.
The exhibition explores the relationship between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire from 1400 to 1800. Featuring 190 works across various media, it showcases the interactions between these two Mediterranean rivals in areas such as politics, diplomacy, economics, art, technology, and cuisine.
Are you a history buff, art lover, or just someone who enjoys learning about different cultures? If so, the Venice and the Ottoman Empire exhibition is an experience you can’t miss. This ambitious showcase dives deep into the relationship between two major Mediterranean powers—the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire—spanning four centuries from 1400 to 1800.
As you step into the exhibition hall, you’re greeted with a dynamic display of 190 works that tell the story of these interconnected European empires. From intricate Venetian paintings to richly woven Ottoman textiles, each piece reveals a chapter of this historical narrative. It’s not just about art—this exhibition documents the political, diplomatic, and economic exchanges between Venice and the Ottoman Empire, as well as the technological advancements and culinary influences they shared.
A Journey Through Time and Art
The artworks on display are a testament to the complex relationship between these two rival powers. Despite their differences, Venice and the Ottoman Empire maintained a rich exchange of ideas, aesthetics, and traditions. Visitors will find themselves captivated by the evolution of artistic styles that reflect the cultural blending of these Mediterranean giants.
You’ll see Venetian artists influenced by Ottoman patterns and motifs, and Ottoman craftsmen adapting elements from the Italian Renaissance. It’s a fascinating display of how art can transcend political boundaries, serving as a bridge between seemingly opposing worlds.
More Than Just Art: The Cultural Exchange
While the visual arts take center stage, the exhibition also delves into other aspects of their interactions. Through political documents, trade maps, and culinary artifacts, visitors gain insight into the diplomatic maneuvers and economic ties that connected Venice and the Ottoman Empire. The exhibition reveals how these powers were both rivals and trading partners, shaping the course of history in the Mediterranean.
And let’s not forget the culinary influences! You’ll learn how trade between Venice and the Ottoman Empire brought spices, coffee, and exotic flavors to Venetian tables, forever changing European cuisine.
Why You Should Visit
Venice and the Ottoman Empire is not just an exhibition—it’s a visual journey through time, one that highlights the power of cultural exchange. It’s a rare opportunity to explore how two rival states, despite their differences, contributed to each other’s growth and development over four centuries.
So whether you’re a museum enthusiast or just looking for a unique weekend outing, make sure to add this exhibition to your must-visit list. Immerse yourself in the stories, art, and history that shaped these two empires—and discover how their legacy still resonates today.
This exhibition offers a chance to witness history through the lens of art, showcasing how cultural exchange can build bridges, even between the fiercest of rivals. Don’t miss out on this captivating experience!
"Raleigh, NC — The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is pleased to share its upcoming exhibit Samurai: The Making of a Warrior, at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The exhibition masterfully blends historical artifacts with visually striking cultural objects, inviting guests to delve into the multifaceted aspects of samurai life, including their influence on politics and society. The inclusion of a discussion on samurai women is particularly enlightening, shedding light on their often-overlooked yet crucial roles in sustaining samurai families and supporting the careers of famous male warriors.
With its thoughtful curation and nuanced approach, “Samurai: The Making of a Warrior” is not just a display of weaponry—it’s an exploration of a rich cultural legacy that continues to resonate. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the deeper stories behind Japan’s iconic warrior class.
October 19, 2024–February 2, 2025East Building, Level B, Joyce W. Pope Gallery
Embark on a captivating journey through contemporary art at Ella West Gallery, in downtown Durham's vibrant heart. Led by visionary Linda Shropshire, the gallery redefines art history, spotlighting underrepresented voices, challenging norms, and fostering connections. Linda's influence extends nationally as a trusted member of the North Carolina Museum of Art's Board of Trustees and the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums. Watch now to watch our inteview.
Visit from Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo Credit: McKenzie Shelton, Embody Media + Design)
Durham, North Carolina – Ella West Gallery is pleased to present a new exhibition Stephen Hayes: Reclaiming the Discarded. Notions of cultural capital are reoriented through a modern lens in Hayes’ larger-than-life interrogations of the gaudy, shimmering, and resplendent, through
a wide range of media including bullet shell casings, raw cotton buds, stone, twine, and bronze. His rumination on capitalism and consumerism is contained within the reflective surfaces that bring these works to life across sculptures, wall reliefs, and textiles.
Stephen Hayes: Reclaiming the Discarded is on view through April 6,
2024. For more information about Ella West Gallery, the exhibition, or to
inquire about available work for
purchase, visit:
www.ellawestgallery.com or call (919) 485-9602.
In another corner of the exhibition, a collection of bronze muses stands as envoys of collective memory, powerful missives from a troubled past. While Hayes’ subjects are cast from those who walk among us today, the symbols he uses to adorn them transport the audience into a historical setting from which Black women’s trials and triumphs can be reimagined and re-experienced. The gallery is located at 104 W.Parrish Street in Durham and is open to the public Wednesday through
Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm, with private appointments available upon request.
Stephen Hayes: Reclaiming the Discarded is on view through April 6,
2024. For more information about Ella West Gallery, the exhibition, or to
inquire about available works for
purchase, visit:
www.ellawestgallery.com or call (919) 485-9602.
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