TOUT-MONDE Art FOUNDATION

BLACK DOLLS - Equality

THE BLACK DOLLS DEBATE

EQUALITY

"My first contact with effects of racism occurred at the very moment of my birth. My mother told me one day that right after my birth my father asked why I was so «black»?

Since then, I never stopped trying to understand why my father said that.»

Mirtho Linguet

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Revisiting THE BLACK DOLLS PROJECT

BLACK DOLLS PROJECT is a photograph series by French Guianese artist Mirtho Linguet. The project was originally presented as an exhibition at the Anacostia Arts Center at the Vivid Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., in August-September 2017. Three years later, the BLACK DOLLS project is launching its second chapter, THE BLACK DOLLS DEBATE. This chapter aims at discussing with students, professors, authors, researchers and civil society in general the socio-political questions raised on racism by artist Mirtho Linguet.

In fact, Linguet questions the social and aesthetic dynamics and the power relationships of the representation of the individual, in a context marked by unequal treatment sourced from injustice, originated from the ideology of racism which intoxicates day to day the relationships between individuals on the basis of skin color.

His images raise questions, sometimes create discomfort, but above all their purpose is to invite the spectators to reconsider the codes of representation, so that we see and perceive ourselves as we are, individuals before anything else.

Thinking about his personal history, Linguet realizes that he was an object of curiosity, subjected to a diktat disguising itself with various subterfuges.

The intention is thus to encourage the spectator to reflect on the problem of representation which causes people to mistreat themselves because of their complexion. It’s a question of injustice in a world where people should advocate for justice.

Are we ready to accept our condition?

Are we ready to begin the healing process?

Do we aim at producing justice?

THE BLACK DOLLS DEBATE

Mirtho Linguet

Poupées Noires, N°VII, Color print, variable dimensions, 2014

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Three powerful series

BLACK DOLLS PROJECT, is a body of work composed of three photographic series:

1) Poupées Noires is the reality of persons classified as non-white. They are Dolls.

2) Flora is the imaginary that is inculcated and inoculated, shaping the myth or fiction that surrounds them.

3) Mental-Cide is the terminal phase, letting them disarticulated, both psychically and physically. The individuals develop reactions which lead them to mistreat themselves and each other.