B/ue Robin presents the story of Love and Country
Her Heart My Flag
USA Show Recap
Great stories are the ones we talk about long after reaching the “end.” They provoke us, inspiring the conversations we have and the decisions we make. At B/ue Robin’s Her Heart My F/ag (USA) production at the Sandy Spring Museum, guests took part in storytelling from the perspective of art, music, dancing, food, and history.
The event opened with the master of ceremonies, Janice the Griot, sharing a passionate first-person narrative of Harriet Tubman’s courageous life. She took us all on a journey through the hardships of enslavement to the responsibilities of freedom. As she did this, her rendition opened the audience to the questions we often ignore when it comes to defining America. Modern interpretations of Harriet Tubman’s legacy were captured by photos depicting her resolve to risk her life for the freedom of her people.
This opening act set the tone for the dance items performed by the next artist, Queenlin. Her high-energy choreography to songs like American Oxygen (Rihanna) continued to explore the themes Janice touched on.
When guests were invited to take a tour of the art gallery, the music selections by DJ Mat served as the backdrop for guests to explore the stories told visually by Jia Imagery, Lindsey D. Vance, Al B Art, and the host, B/ue Robin.
B/ue Robin told his story through painting and photography. His flags waved and guests were greeted with layers of messaging designed to challenge our own versions of the American Dream.
Guests were also invited to create a collaborative story by contributing to a group B/ (be forward) painting. When they were brought back to the common room to close the event, Janice shared another story of an eagle raised to believe it was a chicken.
Jia Imagery used domino-size photographs to highlight the contributions of women, stacking them one in front of the other with care and precision.
Al B Art urged us to question how we define freedom in America.
Lindsay D. Vance shared her art therapy through paints and jewelry.
Sazon Cirillo took taste buds on an American journey with their catering services.
