Her glass pyrographs, which she makes by dragging molten pieces of glass across paper, looked delicate even through a screen. The way the paper traced the motion of the hot glass was a welcome respite from the images and websites that normally occupied my screen. And because the internet facilitated the viewing of this work, I had immediate access to watching Ichikawa’s process on other platforms like YouTube an experience I couldn’t have in the same way by just seeing her work in a gallery.
Despite these connections, virtually experiencing art felt lacking. I’d usually log off the Zoom or exit the viewing room or shut down Instagram and would again be confronted with my loneliness. Screens make connecting hard.
Panel 5 from Jacob Lawrence s
Struggle series. Courtesy of Seattle Art Museum Your eyes will be hard-pressed to find a soft place to land when looking at Jacob Lawrence s
Struggle: From the History of the American People series. The form and subject matter are all so sharp to look at. Sponsored
Reunited for the first time since 1958, the 30 panels which are now on view at the Seattle Art Museum as
Jacob Lawrence: The American Struggle trace the tumultuous, early beginnings of the United States, emphasizing the perspective and experiences of Black people in this country. Through Lawrence s iconic and bright modernist style, revolt, secrecy, murder, capture, war, the freezing cold, and slavery dramatically unspool throughout the galleries. Ruby red blood cuts down nearly every panel.