FIT’s “Black in Time:
A Black Renaissance”
through March 8
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
The Fashion Institute of Technology’s
7th Avenue/W.
27th St. Pomerantz Center’s
Art & Design Gallery beckons all
who pass by, which is the goal
of the light-infused newly renovated
lobby that opened in October
2018.
The goal of the windowed spacious
entrance exhibition space is
to more fully integrate FIT with
the neighboring community and
life on the street, to bring the
outside in and to share FIT with
the neighborhood.
The current exhibition pays
homage to Black History Month.
“Black in Time: A Black Renaissance”
entices, and is extended one
more week until March 8.
“We knew what we wanted to
include, “ says undergrad co-curator
Kiara Williams. “And what was
submitted became the themes.”
Students, faculty, staff, alumni,
and invited guest artists are
exhibiting artistic work—the list
numbers 70, of which 50% are
students. But many more participated,
from FIT departments,
institutions and individuals loaning
personal collections and exhibition
items, to the installation assistance.
Williams estimates at least 200
persons were involved in this epic
project.
Co-curator Awa Doombia
emphasizes that while the title is
“Black in Time,” the exhibition is
also a timeline of the Black experience.
“Every part of culture is
represented,” she says.
In the Seventh Avenue gallery
window space, just north of the entrance,
“On the Block” celebrates
hip hop and rap, streetwear and
all genres of fashion. There is a
special tribute to Kobe Bryant and
his daughter Gianna.
On the far end (southern) of
the Seventh Avenue side, “Black
Glamour” is highlighted. Particularly
with an amazing array
of items from the collection of
Lenny Davis, this section features
the cosmetics and hair care of
Madam C.J. Walker, the wealthiest
African-American businesswoman
and the wealthiest self-made
businesswoman at the time of her
1919 death. (Incidentally, the film
“Self Made,” inspired by her life,
premieres March 20.)
As you enter into the center
of the lobby gallery, the section
“Crowned” reflects the royal history
Album covers of some
black music artists from
the collection of photography
faculty member
Curtis Willocks.
of Black men and women and
culture. The very popular “Power
to the People” highlights activism
and militancy with fashion pieces
and artwork paying tribute to the
Black Panther Party.
Continuing into the far gallery,
“Promised Land” includes both
fashion inspired from Africa and
historical artifacts.
The overlooking second floor
studio holds the “Importune
Injustice” installation organized
by Maeve Cahill, Photography ’21
that immerses the viewer through
newsprint, photos, video and
painting in the political and social
injustice black America has and
continues to face.
There is also a wall in the
main gallery of student produced
portraits and on another wall, photography
faculty member Curtis
Willocks shares a small selection
of vinyl album covers from his
collection.
Photo from The Promised
Land.
Conceived, curated, and executed
by international trade and
marketing undergrads (Class of
’21) Black Student Union president
Awa Doombia and treasurer Kiara
Williams, along with Black Student
Union members, the two worked
on this project for eight months,
producing this organizational feat.
This is the first exhibition in the
renovated space that includes the
lobby, the gallery and the overlooking
second floor studio, and this
is the first exhibit in these spaces
fully-curated by students.
PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Black in Time. The windowed FIT lobby/gallery looking
in from W. 27th St.
Immersion in media is part of the “Importune
Injustice” installation organized
by Maeve Cahill, Photography ’21,
reflecting the political and social injustice
black America has and continues to
face.
Lenny Davis with his Madam C J Walker beauty culture
collection.
Schneps Media March 5, 2020 15