SURVEYING NOAH

“You could say I am fascinated with instances where Black aesthetics and modernist aesthetics collide.” - Noah Davis (2013)

It’s wild people have to remind us to “look at the small things”.

In 2012, or 11. I remember hearing about Noah’s artwork. Years later in 2021 or so I finally got to see his art in person. Out in NYC. It was such a moment for yall boy. Standing in front of this painting, wondering where he was looking.

I remember meeting with Tyler G of HVW8 Gallery, a mutual friend of mine and Noah’s and a place where Noah got to exhibit his early work. Work that felt as experimental and in search as his whole life. A young life.

Tyler told me “you and Noah would really get along”. He would go on to tell me how a lot of Noah’s subject matter was about black life and modernism. The way Noah took the city planning sort of “Urban Development” vibes into his art.

Once Tyler said that, I started to see Noah’s art different. (That’s ironic bcos, thats what people tell me Hood Century does for them and how they see they neighborhood.)

Noah’s role in society as a self-proclaimed “urban developer” seems like it started at home.

• With his mom and dad encouraging him to really look at both architecture and the archives.

• The landmarks and neighbourhoods of LA that Noah lived amongst most of his life.

• The work of prolific black architect Paul R. Williams, that influenced his mindset of world-building.

If you’ve read about or gone to any of the handful of shows since Noah’s “Garden City” show. You’ll know what I’m talking bout.

“Garden City” is based on the Pueblo del Rio community in Los Angeles, built by Richard Neutra, Paul R Williams and others in 1941. The paintings represent the potential of art and performance in a low income community.”

Just the other week, we hit Tyler and Justen and said yo - we have to do something for this Noah show at the Hammer this summer. Had been seeing all of our friends visiting the London show at the Barbican where it just travelled from. Now it’s back in his city.

Jus linked us w Hallie, the head of academic programs at Hammer and she opened the space up for us to really do our thing.

We are just soo honored. Saturday July 19th, Hood Century is touring the Noah show - w a group of yall!!!

After the exhibition tour we also hosting a lil creative workshop for the kids. We calling the day “SURVEYING NOAH”.

Think we told yall that this year at Hood is “Year of the Survey”. It’s crazy because this show is actually a survey of Noah’s life and work too.

Presented by Infrastructure, Hood Century EDU — the “SURVEYING NOAH” Workshop is a discovery of:

• Indexing locations, colors, patterns, symbols and motifs

• City landmarks and native ref’s

• Black life, modernist architecture and aesthetics

• World-building what we wanna see

• Language as agency

• Montessori edu principles

• Past, present, future - intergenerational vibes

Materials List:

• Oil pastels, acrylics, watercolor paints

• Construction paper

• Tracing paper and projector

• “LA city survey cards”

• Indexin’ worksheets

• Clipboards and pencils

• Giveaways and prizes by “Infrastructure”

• DJ

• Drinks and snacks!!

L.A!! If you in town this Saturday July 19th, sign up here for a free spot!! Numbers are limited. Families and South LA natives to the front!! We’ll email selected folks by Thursday July 17th to confirm times.

Shouts Jus, Judith, Hallie, Hammer Museum, B and whole Bestor Arch firm for supporting our educational work. Karon and the Underground Museum for upholding Noah’s legacy.

P.S you know we going on TOUR this summer!! Workshops, parties, open houses and sleepovers… coming to a city near u this Aug/Sep.

Back soon to show you what you find/make from our surveying here.

—Coop and Savannah.

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Thank yall mass for the continued support of HOOD CENTURY. As we look ahead to our 6th anniversary (!!!) this year we are blown away by the world we building here w yall.

We really do this for a living and yall engagement and love helps us to keep doing that.

You can support us by:

• Buying a product

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