Artist Talk: Jesse Burke

Community MusicWorks commissioned composer and vocalist Ken Ueno to write Four Contemplations for the restoration and rededication of RISD Museum’s Dainichi Buddha.

Ken Ueno / Four Contemplations: A Composition Commemorating the Restored Dainichi Buddha

The Landing Roger Williams / Land

Lorén Spears (Narragansett Niantic), executive director of the Tomaquag Museum, provides important context for understanding this painting from 1700 of a Native leader.

Lorén Spears on the Native American Sachem

How do we examine structural systems of power and identity–both past and present–through museum displays? Nesmin, the ancient Egyptian priest of fertility, the moon, and healing, died before the rise of Western colonialism, yet he has fallen victim to its ways–like many Egyptians, his mummified remains were unearthed from what would have been a final resting place. Join Dr. Viviane Saleh-Hanna, associate professor and chair of the department of Sociology and Crime & Justice Studies at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, and Dr. Praveena Gullapalli, associate professor and chair of the Anthropology department at Rhode Island College, for an exploration and hauntological analysis of white supremacy, imperialism, the display of human remains in museums, and the narratives perpetuated through exhibition design. Double Takes invite two specialists to offer their views on single objects with a focus on artistic process and the social context, interpretation, and the ever-evolving meanings of art.

Double Take to Honor Nesmin: A Haunting Analysis of Unearthed Mummies

Hand of the Maker

Why Is This Even Here?

How are museum collections constructed? Producer Emma Vecchione searches for an answer by examining a controversial police raid of an art exhibition in 1978, a collection of pictures at the RISD Museum, and the family photographs on top of her mother’s television set.

On Full Display

The RISD Museum promotes discovery and creative thinking by connecting audiences with art and design. As an integral part of a vibrant community of makers, we encourage exploration of the creative process and the conditions of production to inspire all to learn about and make sense of the world imaginatively.


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