Resolution 130570

..Title Recognizing September 12th as Barbara Chase Riboud Day in Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, Barbara Chase Riboud, a Sculptor, Visual Artist, Writer, Poet and Philadelphia native is the featured artist to the Malcolm X Steles exhibition on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from September 14 - December 8, 2013; and WHEREAS, A native of Philadelphia, Barbara Chase Riboud studied at the Philadelphia High School for Girls, the Tyler School of Art at Temple University and obtained a graduate degree in architecture from Yale University; and WHEREAS, Her prestigious career consists of both an internationally acclaimed visual artist and award winning writer and poet, best known for her 1979 historical novel Sally Hemings; and WHEREAS, The Malcolm X Steles exhibition brings together more than forty works from the United States and Europe as it examines Barbara Chase Riboud's artistic career with a focus primarily on her important Malcolm X sculptures; and WHEREAS, This exhibit will also include a group of drawings from the late 1960's and early 1970's made during the development of the Malcolm X series and twenty Monument drawings will be on display; and WHEREAS, Chase Riboud conceived the first Malcolm X in early 1969 while in Paris; and WHEREAS, These abstract sculptures that combine cast bronze with wrapped skeins of silk and wool, that are wholly unique, over life-size works capture a single moment in an endless cycle of transformation; and WHEREAS, Each sculpture harmonizes various contradictory associations, which combine the vertical and horizontal, mineral and organic, male and female, fine art and craft, heavy and light, rigid and supple; and WHEREAS, Chase Riboud has gracefully fused the elements of armor and textiles in her abstract portrayals of Malcolm X forging a provocative view of identity in the tradition of post-World War II existentialism; and WHEREAS, The sculptures also allude her artistic, cultural, and political experiences in North Africa and China while in the context of the American Civil Rights Movement as they stand as powerful beacons to the possibility of cultural integration that modern art represents; and WHEREAS, In recognition of a lifetime of dedication of her artistic talents and in celebration of the Malcolm X Steles exhibition, which will be a resounding success in attracting thousands of children and families from both the region and all corners of the world to the city and the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and WHEREAS, We welcome and honor Philadelphia native, Philadelphia High School for Girls and Temple University graduate, Barbara Chase Riboud, as the featured artist on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from September 14th thru December 8th now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize September 12th as Barbara Chase Riboud Day in Philadelphia. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Barbara Chase Riboud and the Philadelphia Museum of Art as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body. ..End