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The Art of the Cut
By Megan
Davis
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Art has
long been viewed as visual works displayed on the walls and
shelves of museums and galleries around the world. Whether a
traditional open space with high ceilings or a modest
showplace, the venues in which art can be observed are often
places where few are in one space at a time while still
voices and soft soles whisper through exhibits where the
works are intangible.
The scene
at the Toledo Museum of Art’s GlasSalon on Sunday was quite
different from what regular patrons and those who don’t
frequent museums have experienced; and was far from the
quiet of a reverenced portrait.
The Art of
the Cut was a culmination of art and culture in motion, a
work that began as many masterpieces do. The concept was to
bring together visual art, haircutting and men’s health in
one space. This work was cultivated by The TMA’s Circle,
ProMedica Outreach’s Robin Sulier-Charney and local barbers
who drew up the plans of this event over a period of several
months. They wished to create an opportunity for the
community to utilize their senses in ways that would engage
them in the process of creation while educating them on the
disparities of healthcare among African Americans.
The Glass
Pavilion at the TMA was built as a home for its collection
of glass art and also for use to both teach and study glass
in art and function. Its structure is a work of art in and
of itself and pays homage to the rich history of glass
production in Toledo.
The
pavilion has different galleries, classrooms and gathering
spaces and is home to The GlasSalon, a multi-functional
event space that is used for educational and recreational
purposes. On Sunday, the GlasSalon was transformed into a
platform that housed barbering stations and served as a
catwalk for models, performers and speakers to deliver their
work, display their craft and express their vision to
connect the three entities for the greater good.
Robin
Sulier-Charney is a champion for health in the
African-American community. Her efforts over the years have
brought health screenings into local barbershops, to provide
blood pressure and cancer checks for men to take, sometimes
first steps in improving their health.
She has
partnered with a number of local shops and organizations to
find creative ways to engage the community in the dialogue
and the action of learning about preventative-over-reactive
health.
As a community outreach coordinator for Promedica, she has
the heart to create opportunities to teach people of color
about the benefits of screenings and regular health checks.
The Art of the Cut happened in part because of her
dedication to outreach and meaningful partnerships with area
businesses and organizations such as The Circle.
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Tawann Gaston sculpts Jacob Bates’ hair into a masterpiece
Members of TMA’s Circle
Quartet Water, Jason Bates, Tony Derden, Tawann Gaston and
Jacob Bates
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“The
Circle is all about inclusion and we wanted to have an event
that reached black men, bringing in doctors and barbers, who
serve men regularly” said Brittany Jones, a member of the
museum’s Circle group. The Circle group is specifically
dedicated to promoting programming that reaches new
audiences. These programs often marry creative art with
health to bring life to what many regard as a subdued
experience. The Circle group has been busy planning a number
of interesting events, with Art RX being their next one on
May 11th. This event will bring the art of dance and health
to center stage with an instructor and a body-moving
soundtrack.
Local
barbers, however, were the focal point of The Art of the
Cut, showing the community how they take a blank canvas of
multi-textured hair, to create cuts that represented
different eras. Eras from the 1950s to present day were the
inspiration for the haircuts that were created.
Wes
Fisher, a client of Stacey Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s
Hair Design, was one of the models who received a cut from
the 1950’s era, a fresh take on a classic look, with the
added perk of donning a full red-hued beard.
From boys
to men, and even women, haircuts were performed as each
barber-artist shaved, faded, parted and sculpted designs
through the decades. Andre “Drizzy the Barber” Johnson, of
Foster’s barbershop said, “ I love what I do, I am grateful
to be among men who are always teaching and encouraging me.”
He
handcrafted a 1990’s cut with a crispy part, on
model-artist Yusuf Lateef whose experience with this event
was a positive effort to embrace black men and their roles
in families and the community by bringing health into the
picture.
There were
several barbers on the platform whose creations were
captured in time with music by DJ Mpress, an Elite Team DJ.
As over 250 attendees danced to the African-American
soundtrack of R n B, soul and hip-hop, they greeted one
another with long hugs, dap and salutes to fashion and
hairstyles.
Guests
were regal and eclectic altogether, singing along with the
the barbershop quartet, Water, comprised of brothers Jacob
and Jason Bates, Tony Derden and Tawann Gaston. They sang
popular music from artists boy bands like Boyz II Men and
even Jodeci, Joe, Tevin Campbell and many others while
dressed in barber-sharp attire.
Gaston is
the owner of Groomed barbershops and was one of the
committee members who worked on bringing the Art of the Cut
to life. His impeccable skill and attention to detail was
evident in his work on the platform and performance with the
quartet. What was even more evident was the impact he has on
his own sons, who worked alongside their father, sweeping
the remnants of hair from the platform, dressed in slacks
with bold dress shirts, ties and classic suspenders.
Each
member of The Circle like Natalie Gray, Connie Pearson, and
Zahra Collins were among the diverse group’s many hostesses,
who greeted guests upon entry and served as guides through
the well-planned event. The main hall, lined with tables,
snacks and a cash bar was a meeting place for attendees to
mingle, network and take in the wonder of an event that
brought them together. Inside the GlasSalon, Dr. Brian
Dolsey, a cardiologist at Promedica shared the importance of
men taking charge of their health, to be present for
themselves and their families sooner, than later. Having
performed heart surgeries earlier in the day, he gave a call
to action for men to stand up for better health.
At the
close of the live exhibition, barbers like Corvette Derden
of Fletcher’s Hair Designs, created haircuts as inspired by
art on display at the TMA. Derden’s intricate redesign of
Jaume Plensa’s sculpture, “The Soul of Words” was a
showstopper.
Emcee Toi
Creel, of NBC 24, who donned era-appropriate attire for each
set, narrated the barbershop experience adding insight to
the connection between art, African-American culture and
grooming and health.
The event,
which is anticipated to be held again next year, was indeed,
a cut above the rest!
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