Member of Central Park Five recalls ordeal, speaks on exoneration
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor Kevin Richardson, a member of the Central Park Five, visited VCU on Tuesday to discuss his life experiences in a lecture and Q&A hosted by the Activities Programming Board. This group of five African American and Hispanic men, including Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise, were wrongfully accused […]
ICA’s newest exhibit digs deep into race and inequality
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor Upon entering a wide room with bright natural light, a large turquoise arch — composed of several large octagons — towers overhead and immediately greets incoming viewers. This powder-coated aluminum steel represents the cold and distant relationship of a family that lacks intimacy and warmth. The sculpture is “Swear it Closed, […]
The ICA’s ‘Great Force’ opens tonight at First Friday
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor The Institute for Contemporary Art’s newest exhibition, Great Force, will open tonight at its First Friday celebration. The exhibition features pieces from 24 established and emerging artists and focuses on subjects of black and white racial inequality, comparing and contrasting slavery and contemporary racial oppression. The artwork within the exhibit includes […]
Photos: From corgis to collies, puppers enjoy dog festival
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor Dogs of all sizes, colors, shapes and ages made an appearance at this year’s Richmond Dog Festival last Saturday. Described as a “celebration of dog, dog-owners and dog lovers,” the Richmond Dog Festival returned to the city, this time in Church Hill, where the entirety of Chimborazo Park was taken over […]
Nikki Giovanni visits ICA to celebrate Toni Morrison film, ‘The Pieces I Am’
Iman Mekonen, Spectrum Editor Everchanging pieces of different paper — ranging from flower patterns to thick portions of a woman’s face — displayed on a wide screen at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU. In almost a scrapbook-like fashion, these fragments slowly create the face of Toni Morrison in different stages of her life. […]