In homage to David Hammons’s 2002 installation “Concerto in Black and Blue,” world-renowned Baltimore-born artist Derrick Adams last week unveiled an interactive art piece that blends community engagement with artistic expression. This tribute set a dynamic precedent for what was an extraordinary celebration of art and culture at Baltimore’s 40th annual Artscape festival this week.
Adams’s installation, much like Hammons’s original work, transformed an empty space into a participatory experience. Featuring live music from sitar player Ami Dang, the event invited residents to interact with the art using flashlights, creating a constantly shifting landscape of light and color. This innovative approach reflected Hammons’s ethos of using minimalism to provoke deep engagement and contemplation.
“David Hammons’s work has always inspired dialogue and connection,” Adams said. “With this piece, I wanted to bring that same spirit to Baltimore, especially as we prepare for Artscape.”
Hammons’s “Concerto in Black and Blue” at Ace Gallery in New York was a seminal moment in contemporary art. The 2002 installation featured a darkened gallery where visitors navigated with blue LED flashlights, turning the act of viewing into a personal, almost meditative journey. By inviting the community to interact directly with the art, Adams extended this legacy, emphasizing the power of collective experience in art.
The homage to “Concerto in Black and Blue” served not only as a tribute to Hammons’s groundbreaking work but also as a precursor to Artscape, illustrating the transformative potential of art in fostering community and dialogue. As Adams and other artists prepared for the festival, the stage was set for a memorable kickoff that highlighted Baltimore’s artistic community.
The event, dubbed “Inviting Light,” was curated by Adams and held at 14 W. North Ave. Adams was recently selected to represent Baltimore and funded by a $1 million Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge Grant for the Inviting Light project. The project spans two years and engages pioneering public artists to enhance Station North’s public spaces through innovative use of light.
Attendees of the preview event for Artscape experienced this immersive installation and later mingled at an after-party next door at The Club Car, featuring a DJ and the residents of The Last Resort Artist Retreat. The event was also supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the mayor’s office and the public.
Artscape attendees saw a diverse array of installations, performances and interactive experiences, thanks in part to the innovative contributions of homegrown artists like Derrick Adams. His homage to Hammons underscored the vital role of the art world in the community: bringing people together and sparking meaningful conversations.
As Baltimore embraced this artistic moment, Adams’s tribute stood as a testament to creativity and community spirit, setting a high bar for the events to come. With Artscape, the city witnessed an extraordinary celebration that honored both individual artistic vision and the collective power of community engagement.
Andrew S. Jacobson (andrew@balmoreart.com) is a lawyer, educator and art media entrepreneur. He founded The Law Offices of Andrew S. Jacobson, teaches the Business of Art at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and founded the art media company Balmoré Art. Jacobson has no financial ties with, nor stands to benefit from, any of the artists featured in this op-ed.
