Shibboleth
Doris Salcedo
Colombian-born visual
artist and sculptor
Salcedo's work gives
form to pain, trauma,
and loss
Her work is influenced by her
experiences of life in Colombia and is
generally composed of commonplace
items
Strongly against separation
and prejudice
Form
1
An installation piece featuring a
large crack in the floor that
starts off small & widens as it
moves across the room
2
The rupture measures 548 feet in length
but its width and depth vary; The crack
begins as a hairline, and extends
to 2 feet in depth
3
Viewer’s perception into the crevice
alters, as he or she walks and shifts to
better glimpse inside the
cracks
Function
1
The crack represents a history of
racism and prejudice, running parallel
to the history of modernity
2
A stand off between rich and poor,
northern and southern hemispheres
creating a disunion
3
Invites us to look down into it, and to
confront discomforting truths about
our world
Content
1
The floor of the museum was opened
up and a casting of Columbian rocks
was inserted.
2
The Times of London reported that 15 people
suffered minor injuries in the first eight weeks
after “Shibboleth” opened in October in the
Turbine Hall
3
Created by opening the museum's
floor & inserting a cast of Colombian
rock faces (& then wire mesh)
Context
1
2
The word ‘shibboleth’ refers back to an
incident in the
Bible, which describes how the Ephraimites,
attempting to flee across the river Jordan,
were stopped by their enemies, the
Gileadites.
As their dialect did not include a ‘sh’ sound,
those who could not say the word
‘shibboleth’ were captured and executed
Istanbul
Istanbul is an installation consisting of 1,550
chairs placed between two large metropolitan
skyscrapers. It is designed to portray conflict
in general, rather than a specific historical
occurrence. The composition expresses the
hushed lives of the lonely and downtrodden, as
well as the victims of violence and forcible
migration. The installation of Chairs is simple in
idea, yet strong in execution. It conjures up
images of the faceless millions of migrants who
support our worldwide economy.
Darkytown Rebellion
Similarities
1.
2.
Temporary Installment
Topics of racism and
stereotypes
Differences
1.
2.
by Kara Walker
Different sizes and
mediums(continuous
narrative)
Darkytown more
focused on slavery
Three Relevant Terms
Shibboleth
Prejudice
a custom, principle, or belief
distinguishing a particular class or
group of people, especially a
long-standing one regarded as
outmoded or no longer important.
a liking or dislike for one
rather than another
especially without good
reason
Disunion
the termination of union