Studio Museum in Harlem
How does place inform space? We explore four profound elements of Harlem: the stoop, the stage, the sanctuary, and the street, reflecting on the Studio Museum in Harlem's new building.
The Studio Museum's new building was designed using Harlem's landscape as an inspiration: the soaring interiors of the faith-based places, the stages for music, theater, and dance that are so integral to Harlem’s culture, the bustling life on 125th Street, and the stoops of Harlem’s brownstones, which are such a prominent transitional zone between the public and the private.
We sat down to interview writer and cultural curator Najha Zigbi-Johnson, who speaks to the Street; architect and historian John Reddick, the stoop; executive producer of the Apollo Theater Kamilah Forbes, the stage; Curator of American Art at the Harvard Art Museums Dr. Horace Ballard, the sanctuary; and Studio Museum artist in residence Abigail DeVille, who brings the view of the artist.
Client
Studio Museum in Harlem
Project
Harlem Inspired
Services
Concept Development - Creative Direction - Production - Interviews - Sound Design - Post Production
Voices
Najha Zigbi-Johnson, John Reddick, Kamilah Forbes, Dr. Horace Ballard, Abigail DeVille
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Our Process
Exploring building, place and people.
Opportunity
The architectural design drew inspiration from Harlem, the opportunity was to record place not in physical allegory but in personal testament and audio record
Insight
The vitality of place, the way its histories fold and repeat, are exorcised and redeemed, the many tales of its people; and how the cumulative character continues to shape possibilities and the imagination of black America.
Outcome
An evergreen record of place that brings to life the core themes of Harlem and act as guides for the buildings program.
