September 25, 2009
Inlight Richmond lights up downtown tonight
In what is shaping up to be an astounding experience in the heart of downtown, Inlight Richmond is tonight, rain or shine, 7PM-midnight. Keep an eye out for the work of local poet Joshua Poteat:
My friend Roberto Ventura and I were chosen (by a curator from the Philadelphia Museum of Art!) to create an installation for 1708 Gallery’s 2009 InLight Festival [...] Our installation, entitled “For Gabriel,” involves bringing more attention to the unmarked slave cemetery that lies under a downtown VCU parking lot by honoring those interred there, including Gabriel, the man who led the failed Richmond slave rebellion in 1800 and who was executed and buried along with 26 other slaves.
The space we were given is an old storefront on Grace St. (521 E. Grace, near the new Carpenter Center and behind the new Hilton on Broad). Most of the artists with storefronts are going to have video screens and such in the windows, but Rob and I are going to use our whole space, even though the public cannot come in and access it. It can only be viewed from outside (due to insurance issues). We’ll be using a wide variety of mediums, including film/text projections, burlap, concrete, etc., to create a temporary memorial.
10 Responses to “Inlight Richmond lights up downtown tonight”
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Some photos from Inlight Richmond:
where is everybody?
There were some great pieces on display, some just playful but some exceptional work as well. I think the space/area they chose worked well for the art but it’s not near a lot of businesses that are open at that hour to keep people in the area. They also would’ve gotten a bigger crowd if it were scheduled with the First Friday walk too. but my crew had a lot of fun walking around and not fighting a crowd.
I see the RPD used this opportunity to display their newest piece of equipment !
It looks a little like a a hunting stand
but even more like a portable prison guard tower. Pretty oppressive but I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.
I liked that thing, especially with the line of police motorcycles in front of it. With a little work it could have been one of the installations.
thanks for posting this, john! lovely photos. rob and i won for best in show!
Well deserved Joshua! You and Rob created a meaningful, haunting yet beautiful exhibit. Much time and thought went into your installation. Definitely one of my favorites. Thank you.
thanks, gray. we were really surprised. and flattered. there were tons of amazing pieces!
Very interesting installations and I am sorry I missed it. Thanks for the photos as a consolidation prize. Good to know that the RPD has this nice new piece of Orwellian equipment, also.
Just seeing the Berry Burk & Co. sign lit up is really neat!
Thanks for the kind words, all! Josh and I were really fortunate to be part of the entire event, and we really were moved by peoples’ responses!