FIT Institutional Repository

Title

What if We Both Spoke?

Contributor Names

Rainer, Briyana (Author)

Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York. Exhibition and Experience Design (Degree granting institution)

Cowan, Brenda (Thesis advisor)

Date

2022

Degree Information

M.A. Fashion Institute of Technology, State University of New York 2022.

Department: Exhibition and Experience Design.

Advisors: Cowan, Brenda. Committee members: Lyons, Christina.

Abstract

This paper is comprised of two sections. Part I explores my theory. I dissect how the presence of public memory sites play an important role in how we relate to one another. Once we understand the needs of society and how monuments must evolve with those needs, we can then understand how to better design public memory sites that encourage dialogue and exchange, specifically within marginalized communities. I then delve deeper into how this framework can be applied to community-focused experience design, introducing interviews with experts, exploring case studies, and conducting primary prototype research.Part II of this paper is the applied project through which I implement the strategies discussed in my thesis argument. The project involves in-depth site and audience research, concept and content development, and an integrated 2D and 3D design development project.In my thesis argument, I explore how memory containers—such as monuments, memorials, and other dedicated public sites—perform many tasks. Within a social justice context, memory containers can be used as a form of restitution and reparation in service of marginalized communities. After assessing America's practices of memorialization and increased societal awareness of the lack of representation found in Black and Brown communities, we must reconceptualize monuments as an artistic medium that can be expressive of a group or directly address communities on current issues.For my applied project, I have designed a series of outdoor installations deployed across seven sites in central Harlem. Some sites are dedicated public memory sites and others are unassuming but hold great potential for community dialogue surrounding the meaning of the space. These installations will be a part of a four-month exhibition orchestrated through the Studio Museum in Harlem's inHarlem program—a program designed to directly interface with the community in Harlem to showcase public Black artwork and discuss a variety of themes within art and society. The subjects chosen for the exhibition are centered on several methods of reclaiming personal and collective narratives. Visitors will be prompted to respond to various prompts in order to provoke dialogue. The architecture of each installation is situational and exposes the visitor to several perspectives in response to the narrative. The guiding questions at each location leaves room for the audience—the community members of Harlem—to take control of the narrative by telling their own story as opposed to being told how to respond. The space for interpretation and dialogue drives each design decision.This thesis and exhibition project is grounded in audience, site, and theoretical research. It responds to many ongoing conversations such as the role of monuments and the stories they tell historically within our society as well as how museums might begin to forge deeper connections with the communities they occupy. My thesis explores how our memory landscape might be reconceptualized to become more expressive of collective narrative by dissecting the theories behind dialogue and conversing with art. The museum industry could benefit from understanding this framework in order to better exhibit and educate on complex issues like race, historical erasure, and representation.My exhibition project examines how an institution like the Studio Museum in Harlem could build upon their inHarlem community program by hosting a multi-site exhibit that focuses on allowing the community to engage in dialogue with each installation. The key content themes fall under two categories: (1) preserving identity and (2) trust and empathy. As viewers explore each concept installation, the overarching exhibit narrative reveals how all content themes reinforce a reclaiming of narrative that occurs with each exchange. By giving community members access to not only view artworks from local artists depicting Harlem but also see and interpret the underused spaces within the neighborhood, this exhibit gives space for the community to be stewards of their collective narrative and continually shape how it gets presented. Community narratives will be represented in a variety of media—such as audio storytelling on the exhibit website, in written form at several sites, and through publishing a biweekly zine—which will be tasked with elevating local perspectives and experts on each key concept area found in the exhibition. The use of experiential graphic design and the strategic choice of transparent materials reflects the interpretive approach aimed at providing ways of seeing and questioning. Each location is grounded in a leading question that may ask the viewer to reflect and lead them towards the exhibit content. Beyond the physical design of the exhibition, programming was also a major consideration because of the conversational and personal nature of the exhibit. Offering walking tours led by local volunteers is one way visitors can begin to develop authentic connections to the community. Additionally, by partnering with local organizations that can provide arts programming or other social services, this exhibition can also be a resource and a forum for residents who may need it. While reviewing my work with industry professionals, it became evident that this exhibition was valuable in creating a framework for outdoor exhibitions that could not only elevate and respond to community feedback, but also cultivate meaningful interaction and discourse.

Subject

Studio Museum in Harlem

Harlem (New York, N.Y.)

Memorials

Monuments

Museum exhibits

Collective memory

Museums

Social justice

Rights

In Copyright

The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].

This item must not be sold to any third party vendors.

Identifier

FIT Repository ID: etd_000888

pqdiss: 28964652

ISBN: 9798790646874

Related Materials

Also available from ProQuest

Type

Text

Thesis

Language

eng

Publisher

Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses