The origins of hoop earrings date back thousands of years. They’ve been tied to the Nubia civilization in Africa and the Sumerian women in the historic region of Mesopotamia. In current times, these earrings have continued to be tenets of culture for Black, Brown and Indigenous individuals – proud of their heritage and unafraid to take up space.
The question “What do hoop earrings mean to you?” was one of inspiration to Milwaukee artist Nicole Acosta. She created The HOOPS Project – which examines the intersections of culture, fashion, history, relationship and liberation. It started as a portrait campaign that evolved into a play of storytelling and personal anecdotes.
Acosta hosted photoshoots in cities as Milwaukee, Chicago and New York finding more than 60 people with deep connections to their hoop earrings. Her exhibit is currently on display at MARN Art & Culture Hub through April 3.
This weekend, ‘HOOPS’, the stage play will debut at the Milwaukee Chamber Theater. It’s adapted by playwright Eliana Pipes, directed by Maria Patrice Amon and features original music by Britney “B~Free” Freeman-Farr.
Dominique Samari “What’s beyond the tagline of Black Girl Magic. What’s driving it? What are the stories?” These are some of the questions Dominique Samari asked herself while embarking on this project for Women’s History Month. She’s honoring impactful Black women – some within her network and others she would be meeting for the first time. “I think that we are now in a time where Black women, at least […]