Assistant Professor of Printmaking, Lauren Cardenas, is one of many artists participating in “Make America What America Must Become,” an exhibition of Gulf South Artists hosted by The Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, Lousiana.
America is an anxious nation chasing a more perfect union. As it’s political body struggles along the arc of justice, the truths “we” hold, rarely appear self-evident. Complicated by an overtly mediated era, today’s social movements demand a punctuated examination of #historicalconsequence and #power. At this moment, the distance between Art and Politics—reflection and response—seems to be collapsing. In a letter to his nephew on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, philosopher and American commentator, James Baldwin, offered an optimistic but urgent message, “Great men have done great things here, and will again, and we can make America what America must become.”
During a summer of electoral consternation, the CAC presents Make America What America Must Become, An Exhibition of Gulf South Artists. Together, 34 artists from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Bulbancha examine how power is made manifest in culture, politics, economics, and ecology. Their works speak urgently to the current political paradigm and reflect broadly on the conjuring and churning of the American fever dream.
This exhibition is free and open to the public and will run from Friday, September 18, 2020, to Sunday, January 24, 2021. To find out more please visit the Contemporary Arts Center Website.
General public grand opening is Saturday, September 19th from 11:00 am–5:00 pm at CAC.
Virtual opening night celebration is Saturday, September 19th from 7:00 pm–8:30 pm. Tune in on Facebook Live.
