Representation Matters: Nick Cave presents HEARD•AKRON at Summit Lake

Originally posted on the Reimagining the Civic Commons website.

By Bronlynn Thurman

Visitors and residents participate in a movement workshop following HEARD•AKRON. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

One chilly Saturday afternoon, over two hundred Akron residents — many from the Summit Lake and Park East neighborhoods — packed into the beloved gymnasium in the Summit Lake Community Center. A cascading falsetto reverberated off the concrete walls, a trumpet sounded, and a set of drums rumbled softly as thirty dancers dressed in horse costumes trotted, galloped, and strutted into the room.

Visitors and residents watch the heard trot, gallop, and strut by. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

Children’s eyes lit up. Tiny, brown fingers tangled in the raffia comprising the horses’ bodies and smiles broke out across the audience, previously unaware of what they had signed on to be a part of. In one of Akron’s most hard-hit neighborhoods, world-renowned black artist Nick Cave had brought his latest iteration of HEARD, his colorful, wearable sculptures brought to life before our eyes. This was an art exhibit not just to be seen, but to be experienced. Known for his visually arresting soundsuits featured in his Feat. exhibition, Cave has made a name for himself at a level reached by very few black artists.

Through a partnership with the Akron Art Museum and the Knight Foundation, Akron Civic Commons was able to help bring Nick Cave and his team to one of the Civic Commons neighborhoods as an extension of Nick Cave: Feat., currently on exhibit at the art museum through June 2nd. Looking back, this performance, featuring Akron-area musicians and dancers, was a culmination of experiences that bridge the gap between art and community engagement.

Why is this so important?

Nick Cave discusses his process, how he became the artist that he is today, and the importance of connecting with community during an artist brown bag lunch at Summit Lake. Image credit: Bronlynn Thurman.

Representation matters

First, black artists at Cave’s level are few and far between. For residents like those living in Summit Lake, exposure to an artist who looks like them and relates to them can be incredibly impactful. Often, people don’t take certain paths unless they see someone who looks like them doing it. People need to see themselves reflected.

During the artist brown bag lunch, a young girl with thick braids framing her face asked Cave how long he’d been an artist. Cave broke into a smile. “Forever,” he said. “And you will be too.” That exchange will forever be seared into my mind, as I can only imagine how that experience will impact that little girl for years to come.

HEARD•AKRON takes the stage. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

Intention is key

The final performance was not the community’s first and only touchpoint with Cave and his work. From the very beginning of this process, community leaders and residents were involved, learning about the project and hearing from those planning the exhibition and performance. From the initial site visit with Cave to the introduction of the project at the Summit Lake Community Council and Summit Lake Community Association meetings, community members had a chance to ask questions and buy into the project. In addition to priority access to the performance, Summit Lake and Park East residents were invited to the Funders and Members preview of the opening of the Feat. exhibit at the Akron Art Museum earlier this spring. All HEARD•AKRON rehearsals were held at the Summit Lake Community Center and residents were encouraged to come and watch. Those choices support the Akron Civic Commons’ consistent prioritization of resident-led work. For Akron Civic Commons, if the residents aren’t involved or don’t have a voice from the beginning, we don’t do it.

Bill Gill and Bob Faust take a bow. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

Every community deserves good things

HEARD•AKRON happened in Summit Lake first, before it graced the stage at the Bud & Susie Rogers Garden of the Akron Art Museum the next day. There is something to be said for the first performance of a production like this to be held in a community center gymnasium prior to a performance in a multi-million-dollar space. We believe that every community, regardless of its socioeconomic standing, deserves high-quality art and experiences in the public realm.

Children play between the raffia costumes of the dancers. Image credit: Bronlynn Thurman.

As I watched children climb between the raffia costumes shrieking in delight, parents swarming Cave to take photos and thank him for what he’s done, and residents mimicking the dancers’ movements in the subsequent movement workshop, I couldn’t help but swell with pride.

Something like this happened here. It happened in Summit Lake. And it was pure joy.

HEARD•AKRON dancer from Verb Ballets dance company shows off her moves. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

HEARD•AKRON dancer from Verb Ballets dance company shows off her moves. Image credit: Tim Fitzwater.

Reimagining the Civic Commons is a collaboration between The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and local partners.