In the realm of contemporary art, few artists can match Vanessa German's ability to weave together the spiritual and the mundane, the personal and the political. Her latest installation, 'The House, the Oracle and the Table', at Germantown's Colored Girls Museum, is a testament to this unique talent. This piece, commissioned by the museum's proprietor, Vashti Dubois, for its 10-year anniversary, is a site-specific work that invites viewers to explore the spiritual essence of a century-old house of Black art.
What makes this installation particularly fascinating is German's approach to transforming the living and dining rooms into a talismanic temple. By removing everything from the rooms and painting the walls black, she creates a stark, almost theatrical, setting. This act of simplification is a powerful statement, as Dubois, a theater artist herself, notes: 'She's calling for a black box theater. It's really unmistakable.'
The result is a spiritual triad of three sculptural pieces: 'The Table', 'The Oracle', and 'The House'. Each piece is a masterful blend of whimsical and serious found objects, such as a chandelier crystal used as a teardrop, and a hole in the forehead of a beadwork bust filled with amethyst crystals, representing wisdom. These objects are not just decorative; they are laden with meaning and symbolism, inviting viewers to reflect on the spiritual and cultural significance of the house and its history.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this installation is the use of the house itself as a central element. German's 'The House' is a large figure with three heads representing the past, present, and future of the house. This is a powerful reminder of the house's enduring presence and its role as a sanctuary for Black art and culture. As German puts it, 'The house is everything.'
What many people don't realize is the importance of the Colored Girls Museum in Philadelphia's history. Despite its small size, the museum holds a significant place in the city's cultural landscape. It is a space where Black girls can be free and where, in the midst of unsafety, a sense of safety is provided. This is a powerful statement in itself, as German notes: 'To have a space where colored girls can be free, to have a space where, in the midst of all of levels of what I will say is unsafety, to have a space like that is powerful.'
The installation also raises a deeper question about the role of art in society. What makes this installation particularly compelling is the way it invites viewers to reflect on the spiritual and cultural significance of the house and its history. It is a reminder that art is not just a form of expression, but also a means of exploring and understanding the world around us.
In my opinion, 'The House, the Oracle and the Table' is a masterpiece that invites viewers to explore the spiritual and cultural significance of the house and its history. It is a powerful statement about the enduring presence of Black art and culture and the importance of spaces where Black girls can be free. As German says, 'The universe is magical. The universe isn’t ever casual.' This installation is a testament to that magic and a reminder of the power of art to transform and inspire.
