The full title of the work dedicated to the killing of African American Trayvon Martin is Black Dada Flag (Black Lives Matter).
Source: Heather Sten/The New York Times
Artist Adam Pendleton raised a monumental version of the flag Black Lives Matter on Randalls Island as part of the Frieze New York art fair. The six-month installation is located near what is historically known as Negro Point (now Scylla Point) between Harlem and the South Bronx, the New York Times reports.
“It’s about, what is this island that is used for entertainment events, yet sits between these two communities that are beacons of survival? Some of the most difficult moments in New York City history have happened in these communities,” Adrienne Edwards, the curator of live programs at the Frieze art fair, said. Edwards, who has closely worked with Pendleton for several years, noted the project was based on Pendleton’s two favourite subjects – history and language.
“Language shapes our experience or it gives shape to the things we experience. It compels me, it pushes me forward,” Pendleton said.
The initial artwork Black Dada Flag (Black Lives Matter) was created for the Belgian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2015. It was the artist’s response to the tragic death of African American Trayvon Martin, who was shot by George Zimmerman during a fight as the latter found the teenager, who was walking in the neighbourhood, suspicious.
Adam Pendleton has had four solo exhibition at Pace Gallery in the past five years. He is the youngest artist represented in the gallery since the 1970s. Also, he drew attention of famous collectors, such as Michael Ovitz, David Martinez, Aby Rosen and Alberto Mugrabi.
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