EXHIBITION

The Truth Is I See You

New York, Brooklyn, 08/04/2015 - 06/03/2016

MetroTech Commons, Downtown Brooklyn, New York

ABOUT

SOLO EXHIBITION BY APT ARTIST HANK WILLIS THOMAS FOR DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN EXPLORES THE NATURE OF TRUTH ACROSS CULTURE, GENDER, AND RACE

Brooklyn is one of the most diversely populated areas in the world, bringing together cultures from all corners of the globe. The Truth Is I See You is part of an ongoing series by Brooklyn-based APT artist Hank Willis Thomas that explores the nature of truth and understanding across cultures. Using the phrases of a poem written in collaboration with artist Ryan Alexiev, the core of the exhibition is a new series of comic book-inspired speech balloon signs that feature universal statements about truth in 22 of the many languages spoken in Brooklyn. Installed along the MetroTech Promenade, each sign also features an English translation of the phrase and is accompanied by a pronunciation guide. Thomas arrived at these translations by working with an extended network of friends to communicate the essence of each English statement, as opposed to a direct translation. Within the Commons, the speech balloon is repeated in new sculptural works: two benches of rolled steel create circular spaces for contemplation, while a large-scale steel tree has branches that seem to grow into thought bubbles. Together these works invite us to approach our different perspectives on truth with a new sense of understanding.

The Truth Booth

In Search of the Truth (The Truth Booth), Thomas’s multi-year collaboration with Ryan Alexiev and Jim Ricks of the Cause Collective, will visit Brooklyn four times during the run of this exhibition. This interactive, mobile video recording booth invites members of the public to complete the statement “The truth is…” from their own perspectives.

 

For More Information

APT ARTISTS ON VIEW

Hank Willis Thomas

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