Art Review: Exploring the Timeliness of W.E.B. Du Bois’s Philosophies
The influence of W.E.B. Du Bois on social theory and racial philosophy remains as relevant as ever in a group exhibition that delves into his ideas, research, and legacy. The exhibition, titled “In Our Time: Eleven Artists + W.E.B. Du Bois,” at Pratt Manhattan Gallery, showcases the work of 11 artists who engage with Du Bois’s concepts in a contemporary context.
One of the striking pieces in the exhibition is Radcliffe Bailey’s sculpture “Untitled” (2022), featuring two identical busts facing each other, separated by a hollow metal apparatus. This visual metaphor reflects Du Bois’s concept of double consciousness, highlighting the struggle of African Americans to reconcile their autonomous self-identity with their marginalized social position.
The artists in the exhibition, like Du Bois, utilize visual language to communicate complex social issues. Derrick Adams’s painting “Fixing My Face” (2021) explores themes of double consciousness and the potential for resistance and community in the face of racism. Julie Mehretu’s “Circulation” (2005) showcases the interconnected histories and complexities of identity through geometric shapes.
A multimedia installation by Ann Messner, titled “Du Bois: The FBI Files” (2013), presents declassified FBI documents on Du Bois, revealing the government’s fear of racial uplift and challenge to the status quo. The exhibition also features Jefferson Pinder’s video performance “float” (2019), honoring the memory of Eugene Williams and highlighting the persistence of antiblackness in American society.
“In Our Time” is a continuation of a previous exhibition curated by Loretta Yarlow at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2013. The ongoing relevance of Du Bois’s ideas and the need for artists, writers, and activists to address issues of racial injustice are central themes of the exhibition.
The exhibition “In Our Time: Eleven Artists + W.E.B. Du Bois” is on display at Pratt Manhattan Gallery until December 20. Curated by Loretta Yarlow, the show invites viewers to reflect on Du Bois’s legacy and the continued struggle for a more just world.
