Blackface

by Marthia Diawara

Of all of David Levinthal's previous series of photographs, none is more challenging and provocative than his Blackface series, created over the previous three years. Levinthal has used his toy collection to question national myths, our childhood dreams, and the stereotypes and misperceptions of race and cultural identity. In his blow-up images of miniature toys he has recreated scenes of racism, genocide, and sexual fantasies. This series explores the blackface myth embodied in "black memorabilia", household objects infused with African-American stereotypes. Perhaps the artist's most important works, these images make the blackface myth speak to us directly, without an intermediary, and demand a response from us regardless of our race, age, or gender. Levinthal's Blackface images present a paradox; one that pits the beauty of photographic representation against the racism underscored by these ignoble objects. Magnified with the 20 x 24 inch Polaroid camera, the Blackface pictures explore viewer subjectivity, and question the recent popularity of "black memorabilia" amongst the African-American intelligentsia and why the manufacture of these objects proliferated earlier in this century. The photographs are accompanied by an in-depth scholarly essay by noted writer, critic, and filmmaker Manthia Diawara, an expert on the representation of the African-American in film, photography, and popular media. This book promises to be make major contributions to contemporary African-American studies.

156 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an avid amateur of art books, and I jumped at the opportunity of going to the Wadsworth Atheneum's library rummage sale preview. There I picked up a few books, "Blackface" being one of them.
This is one of the most provoking books I have ever set eyes on. While the objects being photographed are deeply objectionable, the photographs themselves are stunning. Levinthal turns these testimonials of hatred and bigotry into vibrant works of art. It is impossible to forget that those everyday objects are depictions of racism, sexual exploitation and humiliation, yet the close-ups are unmistakably seductive. This book is sure to push some boundaries and raise some questions.