The AUX/MUTE Gallery presented by The Numberz FM and the Portland Art Museum is an endeavor designed to reduce the barrier for BIPOC practicing artists to be represented within an institution of high art. The name is derived from the history of marginalized groups being MUTED in their ability to tell their own stories and share their work within the art world. This space gives them the AUX, the open pathway or signal into conveying their truths, their passions, and their art. In this ongoing partnership between The Numberz FM and PAM, AUX/MUTE will seek to engage the community in conversation around artists who have historically been underrepresented within institutions of art and provide physical space for their stories to be told.
This summer, the AUX/MUTE Gallery concludes a yearlong exhibition series with Album Intro 07:22, a showcase of works by artists represented in The Numberz FM’s growing art collection focused on Black and Brown artists. Artists on view include Alice Price, Michelle Lepe, Oluwafemi, Ivan McClellan, Nick Jones, Alicia Pickney, Ben Boutros and Willie Little. The show is the culmination of the station’s journey in the development of not just its collection but also the artists, with some exhibiting for the first time.
Designed to evoke rooftop and urban life vibes, the Air Streaming Rooftop has served as a performance area for local and touring acts. On deck this summer are Robert McCullum, Ben Boutros, Kaylin Balogun, Cayl Austin, DJ Ambush, Hasaan Thomasand Sissy Moon.
Also coming soon is The Stay the Course Project, developed in response to the repeated vandalism of the Black Lives Matter banners in the Museum courtyard. Ten of these vinyl banners were sliced apart, ripped, and torn down—one by one, each quietly replaced by the Museum only to be vandalized again—in protest of the Museum’s expression of solidarity with the Black community. Looking to capture the moment and create a discussion around these attacks, DJ Ambush and designer Robert McCullum collaborated on the idea to turn the vandalized banners into functional, beautiful accessories. The accessories will be available in The Numz Bodega as part of a limited release.
With new merchandise dropping every few weeks in The Numz Bodega, visitors can purchase T-shirts, candles, hats, jewelry, bags, and more from local BIPOC creators. Expanding the bodega culture love, the AUX/ MUTE gallery space is sporting new photo murals depicting bodega scenes from around the country. Photographers include Koren Martin (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Michelle Lepe (Portland, Oregon), Clarence Pearsall (Chester, Pennsylvania), Darnell McAdams (Cleveland, Ohio), Victoria Ford (Washington, DC), Andreas Branch (Los Angeles, California), and Lo Braden (Detroit, Michigan).
“As our work becomes more expansive, we hope to continue to create ripples in areas of art and entertainment,” said DJ Ambush. “Areas where the Black community is normally relegated to exploitative relationships with their art. Now we’re beginning to see the fruits of our labor and the community at large is reflecting an understanding of the importance of our work. Alas, the mission remains the same…#LIBERATEDBLACKMEDIA.”
THE NUMZ BODEGA POP UP SHOP
The AUX/MUTE Gallery, in partnership with The Numberz FM, brings you The Numz Bodega. An authentic shopping exhibition, honoring the cultural impact and history of the neighborhood staples in underrepresented communities across the country. The mission is to highlight visual artists through the design of the shop itself, creating a unique retail experience that will be a home to products from local emerging artists. The Bodega will include works from The Nine Brand, Mister OK’s Essentials, Zero8one5, and more. This exhibition will be open daily, Wed-Sun, from 12-5 p.m.
THE NUMBERZ FM
The Numberz FM is Portland, Oregon’s only Black-led radio station focusing on the entire Black music experience. Music is such an important part of Black culture, and we’ve been given the opportunity to represent and share a myriad of moods, expressions, and ideas through this medium. Our programming is a combination of music and talk, and in both cases we’ve seized the opportunity to uplift Black and Brown voices that may have faced obstacles in the past to share their experiences with their own community. Through our partnership with the Portland Art Museum, creatives of color are behind these doors making good on a promise we’ve made to the community. We’re cooking up and delivering LIBERATED BLACK MEDIA.
The Numberz FM’s Community-in-Residence is supported in part by the Oregon Cultural Trust, the Regional Arts and Culture Council, the Portland Art Museum’s Artist Fund, and The Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Endowments for Northwest Art.
More information on The Numberz FM.
Sightz & Soundz, The Numberz youth content creation camp, aims to highlight the diverse stories of young Black and Brown Portlanders by elevating their voices and amplifying their experiences to strengthen our community through dialog sparked by creative content. Getting youth in front of the camera and behind the mic, students will gain valuable skills in audio and video production, as well as insight and civic engagement in issues most pressing in our community.
In Sightz & Soundz, our youth participants learn about audio and video storytelling and produce their own content through podcast and video projects. At the end of the program, we stream these projects on The Numberz FM and host them on our website, thenumberz.fm. The Summer 2021 Sightz & Soundz camp took place through two two-week sessions, 5 days a week, in the month of August.
Funding for Sightz & Soundz provided by the Oregon Community Foundation.
Source: portlandartmuseum
