Toni Morrison's Reflections on Finding 'Silent Shapes' at Louvre, as Recorded in 2006: A Glance Back at the Archives
Toni Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, made history yet again in 2006 when she curated a unique cultural initiative at the Louvre museum in Paris. The program, titled "The Foreigner’s Home," was a series of events exploring themes of identity and belonging, framed by the question: "Am I the foreigner in my own home? Who decides?"[1][2][3]
The initiative was more than just an exhibit. It was a multidisciplinary cultural program that engaged various artistic forms to reflect on foreignness and home, central motifs in Morrison’s literary work. However, detailed information about participating authors or collaborators in the project is not readily available.
Morrison's curatorial role and thematic focus are well-documented, but the resources do not enumerate other writers or contributors involved. The events included readings, film screenings, and discussions, with the scheduled events featuring a screened excerpt from Margaret Garner, an opera based on Morrison's novel Beloved, and readings from Michael Ondaatje, Edwidge Danticat, and Assia Djebar.
The idea for "The Foreigner’s Home" was born when Morrison was examining depictions of foreigners in 19th- and early-20th-century literature at Princeton University. The Louvre approached her, and the "Louvre Invites" program, which aimed to find people who could bring something new to the life of the museum, invited her to offer a fresh perspective on the museum's collections.
Jean-Marc Terrasse, the Louvre Auditorium director, oversaw the "Louvre Invites" program and acknowledged that Morrison, as a non-artist or specialist in the visual arts, asked questions that curators never ask themselves. This unique perspective added depth and dimension to the program, making it a memorable and impactful event.
In addition to "The Foreigner’s Home," Morrison also showed a keen interest in exploring wordless forms like painting and choreography. This interest is evident in her connection to Theodore Géricault's The Raft of Medusa (1819), which depicts blacks and whites struggling together during a time when slavery was the norm.
Morrison's impact on literature and culture is immeasurable, and her legacy continues to inspire. Sadly, Morrison passed away at the age of 88 this week, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to be celebrated and studied for generations to come.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3]
- Toni Morrison, an acclaimed author and Nobel Prize laureate, curated a thought-provoking cultural initiative titled "The Foreigner’s Home" at the Louvre museum in 2006.
- This multidisciplinary program was not confined to traditional art forms; it encompassed readings, film screenings, and discussions, inviting participation from various domains of the art world.
- The program included a screening of an opera excerpt based on Morrison's novel Beloved, as well as readings from authors like Michael Ondaatje, Edwidge Danticat, and Assia Djebar.
- The idea for "The Foreigner’s Home" emerged from Morrison's examination of depictions of foreigners in 19th- and early-20th-century literature at Princeton University.
- Jean-Marc Terrasse, the Louvre Auditorium director, recognized Morrison's unique perspective, stating that her questions as a non-artist added depth and dimension to the program.
- Morrison's curiosity extended beyond literature to other visual arts forms, such as painting, and her connection to Theodore Géricault's The Raft of Medusa is a testament to this.
- Morrison's influence on literature and culture is profound and enduring; her body of work, reaching across genres like fiction, essays, and children's books, continues to captivate readers and inspire future generations of writers, artists, and thinkers in the realms of fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, pop-culture, sci-fi-and-fantasy, and more.
