WE BUILT THIS HOUSE – featuring: Larry W. Cook, Muse Dodd, Nekisha Durrett, Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Jewel Ham, Wayson R. Jones, Samera Paz, Beverly Price, and Amber Robles-Gordon
February 23*—March 10, 2021
The Anderson and VCUarts are pleased to present We Built This House, an exhibition of nine Washington D.C. area artists organized and curated by the students of the Fall 2020–Spring 2021 Applied Curatorial Practices class. Representing six distinct School of the Arts studio and academic majors, the six student members of the class have worked tirelessly over the past seven months—through all of the challenges of a pandemic, political upheaval and virtual learning—to realize this incredible and timely group exhibition. Touching on themes which have been brought into sharp focus by recent events in that city, We Built This House offers a glimpse of the power and promise of D.C.’s people and communities, and the artists who give them voice.
From the curators:
In solidarity with the citizens of Washington D.C., WE BUILT THIS HOUSE (opening Feb. 19 at the Anderson, VCUarts) showcases nine D.C. area artists, highlighting their roles in shaping their communities through art, performance, and storytelling. While D.C. serves as the seat of national power for the United States’ government, it is also home to over 5 million residents. In the midst of the capital city’s ongoing struggle for statehood, and its people’s continued fight for equal representation, this exhibition seeks to re-center the conversation about D.C. by focusing on the strength of D.C.’s long-established art communities, educational institutions, and vibrant music scene.
WE BUILT THIS HOUSE explores the soul of the nation’s capital, providing space for each artist’s representation and interpretation of their home. It engages its audience, alongside artists and community members, in efforts toward abolition and against gentrification – challenging us to see ourselves in the experiences of others.
Featured artists include: Larry W. Cook, Muse Dodd, Nekisha Durrett, Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Jewel Ham, Wayson R. Jones, Samera Paz, Beverly Price, and Amber Robles-Gordon.
This exhibition is organized and curated by the members of the Anderson’s Applied Curatorial Practices course: Cole Clark, Angelica Credle, Natalie Duke, Jasmine Elmore, Carolina Gaillard, and Grayland Smith.
Playlist
Check out the playlist created by Muse Dodd in response to the themes and artworks of the We Built This House exhibition.
Reparations Realized playlist on Spotify
Website
As part of the Applied Curatorial Practices class experience, the curators teamed up with Anderson Intern Sam Taylor to realize a web-based expression of the exhibition – webuiltthis.house. This platform allows for continued engagement with the We Built This House exhibition through curator-led video tours, essays composed by the curators about the artworks, a recording of the panel discussion (artist participants included Muse Dodd, Nekisha Durrett, Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter, Jewel Ham, Wayson R. Jones, and Amber Robles-Gordon), and much more.
Graphic design by Mariah Jones.
*Exhibition opening date postponed from 2/19 due to the impacts of inclement weather.