Weems’s ‘cool blue wind’ captures obama’s legacy in a symphony of sound and image
Carrie Mae Weems’s monumental new installation, ‘The Cool Blue Wind,’ at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago isn’t just a retrospective; it’s a reckoning with American history, meticulously woven together through photography, music, and a profound understanding of the Black experience.
A trumpet’s echoes and a collective vision
The commission began with a whisper – a recollection from 1999, when photographer Weems, now 73, and her late friend, cornetist Butch Morris, debated the significance of Barack Obama’s historic victory. Morris’s immediate response – “I hear the blare of trumpets” – became the seed for the entire project. Weems abandoned initial literal approaches, recognizing the need for a more nuanced exploration.
‘The Cool Blue Wind’ comprises 29 photographic collages, tracing a lineage from the 54th Massachusetts Regiment to Civil Rights marches, and culminating in images of young people dancing, embodying a spirit of hopeful resilience. It stands alongside 27 other site-specific artworks by a diverse group of artists including Mark Bradford, Maya Lin, and Julie Mehretu, all commissioned for this ambitious campus.
Beyond the portrait: a sonic and visual tapestry
Weems initially considered portraits of Obama himself, but quickly dismissed the idea – a shrewd observation recognizing the overwhelming visual saturation surrounding his presidency. Instead, she returned to Morris’s evocative metaphor, envisioning a democratic ensemble, mirroring the intricate balance of a jazz band. “Like a democratic society, a jazz ensemble depends on balancing individual expression and collective responsibility,” she explained.
The work’s power lies in its juxtaposition of archival images – soldiers, jazz musicians, activists – creating a dynamic narrative that unfolds across the wall, punctuated by fragments of musical history. Accompanying the collage is a 40-minute original composition by Craig Harris and Vijay Iyer, titled ‘The Obama Suite,’ a rich and layered experience that complements the visual elements.
A legacy in fragments
Weems’s career has consistently interrogated America’s self-image, from the intimate stories of the ‘Kitchen Table Series’ to the critical examination of museum representation in ‘The Museum Series.’ Her work compels viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about race, class, and the selective narratives that shape our understanding of the past. This commission, however, transcends a simple historical account; it is an invitation to contemplate the ongoing project of American democracy, acknowledging that it remains, undeniably, unfinished.
“It’s beautiful and poetic,” reflects Louise Bernard, the center’s museum director. “We often talk about democracy being a work in progress, and that progress is itself never linear.” The Obama Foundation’s vision extends beyond a physical space; it’s a deliberate attempt to foster dialogue and bring people together – an ambition powerfully realized through this extraordinary artistic undertaking.