Mercedes Lewis

MERCEDES LEWIS.

ARTIST AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN.

How does diversity play a role in art direction?

Diversity plays a major role in art direction to visualize a different narrative or viewpoint from another cultures perspective. Art direction brings an opportunity for representation, especially for people of color. Representation is so key in the documentation of African Americans own art & history. Whether its fashion, music, art or visual content in general it’s vital that we add our own viewpoints and culture from our own perspective. For so many years black culture has been suppressed or appropriated. To think that we were once killed for learning simply how to read to becoming faces on magazine covers to being in the covers is outstanding. It would be even greater if we controlled our own content with no restrictions on how we speak up for ourselves and explain our truth. We were not allowed to be treated as human beings let alone praised in the public eye. We are constantly dehumanized and the diversity art direction gives us an opportunity to change that. To create visuals that show the emotions, skill, talent and beauty shows our story and the value of a black life. It’s vital order to break the stereotypes, discrimination and systematic oppression that we still face today.

Can Art Direction be used as a tool for activism?

Yes I believe art direction can be used as a tool for activism. To have the opportunity to express our own black history and culture is to make sure that our culture isn’t stolen or suppressed. Art direction allows us to showcase our greatness and leadership. The

purpose of art direction is to tell a story. When given the opportunity to have art or a visual representation that represents a black culture its history within itself. Even seeing a black images of people existing is history within itself. Living in a world that oppresses black people and culture. Art Direction not only becomes a part of our history but allows us to have a voice to share our viewpoints visually that may not be shared in the mainstream media. Art direction fuels me as an artist to shed light on certain concepts of racism, systematic oppression, black culture and history that normally is not shared in our education system or media. Think about the movie Get Out, this movie was an opportunity for someone of color to tell a story about these concepts from a black man’s perspective. Through the lighting, music, composition of shots and timing the art director was able to portray the emotion, feeling, and mindsets of the characters that are relatable to most black people today. The concepts of racial tension, slavery, systematic oppression were key themes that were highlighted that were portrayed in a way that most black people could relate to.

How can we preserve and protect marginal voices within art?

We can preserve and protect marginal voices within art by ownership of our artwork, support more black businesses and create black businesses. It’s important for black culture to have more investments in our own art to preserve our own history. Often times our art is not showcased or given the same opportunities as the average European male artists. It’s vital that we

continue to support todays black artists because we need to have more representation of black culture in the art museums.

news outlets or TV shows actually directed and from the view point from the modern day African Americans perspective.

How can academia prepare an ethical art director?

Academia can prepare an ethical art director by exposing students to learn more about Black history & culture. Growing up in Texas, we have to learn about Texas history. In no way is Texas history more important than Black history, but it is apparently important enough to be a part of the core curriculum in the schools here in Texas. Even the art history that we study in school could influence a more ethical art director if they learned not only about past but even modern day artists of culture. To be open to teach black artists their subject matter and viewpoints of people of color will bring more awareness of cultural background and art history.

Can whiteness take advantage of marginalized storytelling?

Yes. Whiteness has already taken advantage of marginalized storytelling. The fact the growing up majority of the fairytales, movies and even religious history protagonist white characters or antagonist dark characters still support the idea that “white is right”. I know when I was growing up I saw a lot of main characters in Disney films were created with the characters heroes in films or survivors but killed off the black characters first . Media and Film tell these stories is predominantly from the white person’s perspective. It’s very rare to me in America to see movies,