Call and Response: The story of an image

This is a story about the power of an image.

When the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art decided to put on their new exhibit, “Call and Response: Africa to America,” they did more than put together an interesting art show. As most exhibits at the Halsey, this one is strong and impactful. However, so many things have happened because of these works of art, that it really does seem that a “call” was made, and a series of interesting “responses” happened.

First, Spoleto Festival USA partnered with the Halsey to make this exhibition part of the international festival. Typically only focused on the high-end performing arts from all over the world, this partnership is a huge compliment to the Halsey as it is a rare thing for Spoleto to include a visual art component on their roster.

While planning the editorial for the spring/summer issue of Art Mag, I met with Halsey director Mark Sloan months ago, fell in love with the exhibition, and one image in particular. I liked that it was a three-dimensional representation of both the visual and performing arts. It was colorful, fun, and frankly made me feel inspired to put on a strange costume and do a little jig. “What a perfect image for the spring cover!” I said to myself.

Darcy Shankland and Misty Lister of Charleston Magazine must have felt inspired to do a little costumed jig of their own, as I got a phone call saying, “We just saw your new issue, and it looks fantastic… but…we happen to have chosen the exact same image for our May issue which is about to hit the streets.” Sound of jaw hitting ground. Then silence. Then laughter.

In the print media world, this would typically be viewed as a major disaster. However, we got together and decided to make this a positive thing. So, we called the Halsey and had a good laugh. With a bare bones budget, they didn’t have much planned, so we offered to help them with their opening night. The spirit of collaboration was contagious. Soon after, Social Restaurant and Wine Bar came on board to help. Then the Djole African Dance and Drum Company got in the mix to do a performance at the opening night. Palmetto Distributing and Grapevine Distributors then hopped on board.

Inspired by everyone’s positivity and creativity, we decided it would be great to expand our collaborative spirit to the community by asking guests to “respond” to the artists’ works by coming in festive attire. There will be a costume contest with amazing prizes from yet another group of folks who were interested in helping: dinner for two at Fish Restaurant, gift certificates to Artist and Craftsman Supply and Lava Salon, a membership to the Halsey, an online ad on the Art Mag site, and a Charleston Fashion Week package from Charleston Magazine.

The domino effect was really pretty amazing. Charleston Scene editor Marcus Amaker said he would help spread the word too. We even tried to talk him into making the same image his cover for this week too!

One little image brought these different entities together to create a community-wide togetherness. Isn’t it absurd to think that some people don’t think art has any real impact on society?! Send that to the people who cut funding for the Arts!

This also says a great deal about the people of the city of Charleston. More often than not, Charlestonians make the choice to help one another and work towards a common goal. I see this happen all the time in our little town, and it’s pretty amazing. In the grand scheme of things, don’t we all have the same goal anyway? The pursuit of happiness.

Here’s some info about the actual artwork that’s got everyone feeling all this brotherly love.

“Call and Response: Africa to America” features the art of textile/sculptural artist Nick Cave and photographer Phyllis Galembo, each of whom explores, in their unique ways, different concepts of West African masquerade.

In most of Galembo’s photographs, she shows the elaborate costumes created for weddings and burials, initiations, chiefs’ coronations, and holidays that are often made of inexpensive materials such as raffia, carved wood, coarse fabrics, crocheted yarns, flowers, grasses, leaves, and sticks. “The outfits run a gamut of dramatic designs and shapes, from striped-knit bodysuits to appliquéd fabric costumes as voluminous as tents,” says Silberman.

Cave's Soundsuits are made of materials such as fabrics, embroidery, beads, sequins, found objects, twigs, leaves and hair. A former dancer with Alvin Ailey and current Chair of the Fashion Design Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Cave is a renowned sculptor and fashion designer who has been creating Soundsuits since 2002. Years ago, Cave and Sloan had conspired to do a show such as this but the Halsey didn’t have the space and funding needed at that time. Over the passing years, Cave has soared in his career, but is still holding true to his promise to create some pieces specifically for the Halsey. And that’s what you’re getting, Charleston. Soundsuits made just for you.

Show info

The artists have made the “call.” We’re asking you to “respond.” So put on your best festive attire and join us at the Halsey this Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00. In addition, curator Mark Sloan will lead artist talks with Phyllis Galembo and Nick Cave, on Saturday, May 29 (2:00 p.m.- Galembo. 3:00 p.m.- Cave.). Both events are free and open to the public and will take place in the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art galleries, located in The Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts at 161 Calhoun Street. Visit them online at www.halsey.cofc.edu or call 843-953-5680.