Ghost Light

Figge Museum 2007

The symbol of the Ghost Light references the theatrical superstition in which the darkened stage is illuminated by a light, often a single electric bulb mounted to a stand, intended to ward off the theater’s ghosts. In the absence of a performance, the Ghost Light becomes representative of all of the lives and narratives that have inhabited that space.

Two years ago Jefferson Pinder was approached by the Figge Museum to envision a project in which members of the area could be integrated into the museum. This new project ventures into social practice as Pinder works with a conservative community to open up a conversation about identity politics in Iowa. Taking a page from Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, Pinder provides a venue for the community to see itself. Starting with installations that are inspired by gatekeepers in the community, he dives into a deep dialogue that culminate with a combination of performances at the museum in Davenport, Iowa.

Along with three performances that included members of the community, Pinder recorded conversations with people from the Quad Cities. Night Train is an audio piece that combines these encounters. An excerpt can be listened to below:

TOKEN, 2017

The first performance, Token, featured a conservative white midwestern artist that exercises his right as an artist to sculpt from black models. The subject matter is, not too different from recent conversations about race at the Whitney, but is more complex than anyone could ever have imagined.

JOE'S BARBERSHOP, 2017

The second performance, Joe's Barbershop, features Joe McLemore, a 73 year-old Iowa barber, cutting hair in the museum as he discusses his unique views on race relations for blacks in the Quad Cities (QC). His frank monologue revealed a sober dose of self-determination in the face of racism.

SOULE BOWL, 2017

The final performance titled, Soule Bowl, features arts organizer Gaye Burnett. This local gatekeeper reminisces about her experience at the infamous 1972 Rock Island High School race riot after the Soule Bowle football match. Her perspective as a black woman in an integrated local High School reveals the cross-section between race and gender as violence erupts at a neighboring High School.

HAIRSTYLE, 2017

THE CONVERSATION, 2017

PROJECT ADVISOR
Gaye Burnett

PERFORMER
Gaye Burnett
Pamela Jay Couch
Cheryl Lafferty
Joe Maclmore-Barber
Dean Kugler -Token

DOCUMENTATION PERFORMANCE
Urban Exposure

DOCUMENTATION EDITING
Luis Acosta

AUDIO EDITING
Matt Ryan

PROJECT ASSISTANT
Steve Banks
Joshua Johnson

CURATOR
Andrew Wallace