Highschool windows have long doubled as mirrors for students searching for their reflection, but senior and artist Vale Prieto Black found a way to warp the image to something more symbolic.
Prieto Black is creating an art installation on the first landing of the STEM building’s walls, consisting of twelve mirrors hung up with Sharpied portraits of students who have dedicated time towards advocacy in Piedmont. Prieto Black said the goal is that when the viewer is drawn in by their reflection, they will see their image reflected onto the portraits. In addition to the portraits, a short story from each individual can be listened to by scanning a QR code next to their mirrors.
“Art is a common language people can understand,” Prieto Black said. “I think we can use art to explore our identities a little deeper.”
During her time at Piedmont, Prieto Black has worked hard to advocate for voices less heard. Some of her work included spearheading the Diversity Assembly, having a lead role in the Affinity Mentorship program, and participating in a fellowship with the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s anti-bias leaders. Prieto Black said her inspiration behind this art installation came from a college essay prompt.
“I had a prompt for a college essay. It was ‘If you could make any art piece what would you do?’ I’m very interested in combining art and social justice, so that’s how I came up with this idea,” Prieto Black said. “I liked the idea that as you see yourself you see it through the lens of the [portraits] reflection.”
Prieto Black said she wanted to make a more interactive and accessible way for students to think about identity at school, instead of taking up an academy with an assembly.
“I think one of the biggest problems is ignorance in Piedmont. I don’t think people mean to be hateful or make microaggressions. It just doesn’t come from a place of understanding,” Prieto Black said. “The people who need this the most are the people who when they walk past a reflective surface will look into a mirror to see their own reflection but will come out with someone else’s perspective.”
Art teacher Gillian Bailey provided her with materials to use for her project and helped with her technical planning.
“It makes it more personal because reflection or mirror images include the viewer in the work allowing them to make a relationship with it,” Bailey said.
Not only does Prieto Black want to make an impact on the viewer, she also wants the people in the portraits to walk away with something as well.
“Representation is really important to the people who don’t always feel super supported in the community. It will be meaningful for [minorities] to see people like them in the center of the school on display.” Prieto Black said. “I know the installation is going to take up space and I’m kind of asking people to stop and look. But I hope through the installation, in somewhat of a metaphorical way, we are giving [the students in the portraits] a platform to be seen.”
One of the people in the portraits is sophomore and diversity advocate Meher Bachher. When asked to be the one of the faces of diversity for Prieto Black’s installation, Bachher said she felt beyond flattered.
“I will take any chance to be a part of anything surrounding diversity and social justice in this community so it was just such an honor when [Prieto Black] asked me to be in her art piece.” Bachher said.
Being represented in Prieto Black’s art was an honor, Bachher said, and the meaning ran deeper for her.
“[This project] signifies something much larger and speaks to the uniting of the community to work towards this common goal of social justice. We are a community.” Bachher said.
