Exhibit Concept

Colors of New York City is an investigation of the difficulties and methodologies of documenting race and race relations in contemporary, urban societies. Determined to focus on HARMONY rather than critique, the event will explore how races meld and mingle, escaping finite or unchanging representation.

The performance forces artists to explore their homes, their communities, their neigborhoods and to document the COLORS found there. Their inquiry will include the following New York City hoods: Bensonhurst, Flushing, Fort Green, Harlem, South Bronx, Staten Island and Washington Heights. It will also delve into racist conceptions of "beauty" through an examination of "ethnic hair" and a portrait documentation of hair in New York City.

The following material elements will make up the COLORS OF NEW YORK CITY show: 1) photographs; 2) audio recordings; 3) films; 4) new media (blogs); 5) text; 6) guest speeches; 7) performances; and 8) props (photo albums and keepsakes). The exhibit will be divided into three phases: first, an opening night performance/exhibition - this will include audio recordings, guest speakers, performers, films and props - and, second, a long-term exhibition of photographs and text. The third, and last, phase involves you! We want to involve our communities in this project in the hope of promoting the harmony and understanding we seek to document. You can help us by checking out the blog links found in the sidebar. Locate your neighborhood to post comments and to view photographs and stories of the changing COLORS of New York City.

Thank you. We hope you enjoy the phenomenal colors that make up our beautiful city!

The seed for this exhibit began as an independent study course taught by Jen Heuson. The course, "Representation in the Media," was offered Fall 2006 at the College of New Rochelle's DC-37 Campus.