Night Terror/Morning Love

The concept of Double-Consciousness informed the creation of this project. Initially, the silhouette cut-outs were to take on a more grim form, however upon considering their proximity to a playground, the resultant shapes became much more playful. After installation, I received feedback from the Bowdoin community (including many close friends) that this project has frightened them late in the evening. This reaction was not surprising, but it was not the only way the project was received. I also met many parents and their children who wandered over to the sculptures in order to get a better look. While many college kids traversing campus at night were terrified, children playing during the day were humored. Audience, viewing context, and historical knowledge each informed public reaction to this project, in much the same way that each inform public perceptions of black Americans.