No.9: A trip to NYC
I took a trip to New York City back in January as I needed a little getaway. Just a treat to myself to break up the monotony of the winter hibernation I was in. I also just simply missed the city. I was craving the fantasy of the big lights. I originally didn’t have any definitive plans for my visit to NYC other than to see a play. However, about a week prior and then during my first day in the city, my itinerary filled up with things to do and catching up with friends. This is typical for me as I tend to not have the time to plan properly. I kind of lollygagged around the first day. I met up with a couple friends that I had not seen in a while. I even had the chance to connect with my fellow preservation girlies (they know who they are) who I had only spoken to virtually for the past year or two. It was a joy, nonetheless.
Sign from Spike Lee exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum-January 2024
My second day was just as fulfilling. I was reminded by a friend (Thanks Ian!) that Spike Lee had an exhibit of his personal collection of memorabilia that he has acquired over the years. The exhibit was on display at the Brooklyn Museum which is the borough Spike often references in his earlier films and where he spent his childhood. I don’t know what I was expecting so I can't say that I had any preliminary thoughts about it. By the time I finished walking through each room, I concluded it was a stimulating experience. It was more than just Spike's movie posters. It was film clips, art work, photos, textiles and more. All of the things that have inspired Spike's creativity. Each room invited me in with its solid bright colors. Each space donning a different color from the others. A far reach from the typical bland white boxes that we often see in a museum. The curation took it a step further by framing each piece with ornate material contrasting the bold wall colors. It was a maximalists home décor dream. You can tell that Spike collects items with intention. He memorializes people and events that are meaningful to him, to his creativity and to his legacy as a film maker. He is passionate about his work as it's his purpose. His family is his foundation. His creative inspiration comes from his admiration of other creatives as well as his own innate intuitive ideas. The exhibit almost seemed never ending. I thought to myself "If these items came from his home, I could only imagine the wonder of walking into his forer."
Marque at the Music Box Theater-January 2024
Later in the day, I made my way to see the Purlie Victorious play on Broadway. It was the sole purpose of my trip initially. When I first heard that Leslie Odom Jr. was hitting Broadway to play Purlie, I was intrigued by the synopsis of a preacher determined to save a church in Georgia called Big Bethel. I had no prior knowledge of the history of the play nor that it was written by Ossie Davis. However, the reviews confirmed that it was a must see. It was performed in the beautiful Music Box Theater. I sat high in the stands overlooking the packed audience. Quite a bit tired, I was jolted with a burst of energy by everyone's performance. I was locked in from the beginning to the end. It was funny and witty. I mean it told the reality of life for Black people during the Jim Crow era mixed with the hilarious antics of someone on the quest to preserve their history because of course we tend to always find the light in the mist of the darkness. The darkness of Black history in America. The deep embedded darkness. *sigh* Anyways, Purlie was determined to save Big Bethel from the oppressor. By any means necessary. It was a brave act, and he did what needed to be done. It was a part of his history in spite of how the oppressor viewed him and Big Bethel. It was a thrilling show that I could watch again.
It was a much-needed weekend. I felt like such a nerd considering my fun was planned around engaging with subjects of preservation.
It was a reminder of why I created Preservation In Color. The preservation of Black History, Culture and Community isn't a monolith. It isn't just events on a timeline, or a statue commissioned in honor of one of our leaders. Its personal. Intentional. Bold. It invokes emotions and physical movement. It causes discourse and analysis. It’s a cause for praise and veneration. It’s an intricate journey that reaches depths of thought. Its creative.
Although fictional, Purlie's mission was one that many endure to save their history from oppressors. Ossie Davis had the vision to share what is a very realistic journey for Black people working to keep our history from being erased. If Spike Lee had not built a collection of items that represented his legacy, would we get to experience what inspired him to make such classic films that contributed to a wealth of discourse around Black films during the 80s and 90s? Both Purlie and Spike could have easily been overlooked. I wonder, "How have I been preserving my own history and creative contributions?". PIC has been a slow burn. I've embraced this process. It's fitting because the work of preservation requires much patience. I haven't accomplished nowhere near what Spike has done. However, I know my work and what I collect in my own home is intentional and with purpose. With the purpose of sharing and passing down one day. The past two and half years, I have dedicated time to preserving a historic Black church. These spaces were significant to the Black community as they served as a safe space for worship, teaching and engaging in plans on what we needed to be free. All of these things are in constant jeopardy for us.
So as I reflect on my trip and as we come to the last few days of Preservation Month, I encourage those who are interested in preservation to take the leap. It doesn’t have to be grand. It doesn’t have to be a play nor an exhibit. If you have a passion for preserving historically significant events whether it's for your family lineage or the community you grew up in, there are a multitude of ways to bring those stories to the forefront. You never know the depths of the impact of sharing your story.
