"Smile" by Kehinde Wiley - Katie Miller

Wiley's work was unexpected, uncomfortable, and yet strangely powerful. Definitely not what I was expecting, the piece oozed creativity and originality. I entered the room, purposely walking past the introduction and explanation of the artwork. I wanted to get my own experience and then read what the artist had intended. When I first went in to view the piece, I thought the point was to show how we put on a show before the world to hide how we're really feeling - a mask of sorts. I didn't really noticed that all the men were black until I went back to read the introduction to the piece, which read, "Their grinning masks are reminiscent of a misguided, racist practice where blackface minstrels donned a smile that belied the oppressed status of those they represented... these young men wear the stock expression of a happy-go-lucky stereotype rooted in racial misunderstanding and prejudice."
After reading, I was blow away by how deep, powerful, and focused this work of art was. There were so many different options or ways to show this type of prejudice and stereotype. I love that the artist chose to pick video as a medium - there really is no better way to show human emotion. He could have chosen a painting of past events, or a photo, or a sculpture, etc. By choosing film and video, the artist was able to show that the issue is current and effects people all around us - specifically African Americans. I like to think that the artist consciously made this choice.
I believe the artist thought of the idea for this piece from personal experience and lots of observation - he took something that is happening all around us, recorded it, and it became art. The most creative part for me was the ability to show multiple people - there were four screens and even then, when one man had to stop smiling, a new face would appear and then start the process all over again. It struck me how moved I was just by watching - at first, I couldn't help but smile along with them. After a while, I found myself a little creeped out at how robotic and stoic they seemed. I could see the pain that the smile was causing and the inner struggle that each of them was having - all while having a smile plastered across their face. I was surprised how easily and deeply I felt from these faces I don't know nor will ever meet. Bravo Wiley.