Spike Lee is one of the most recognizable names in the history of American film. The Academy Award winner became a mainstay in Hollywood by remaining unapologetically Brooklyn. That’s why it’s appropriate that a new major art exhibition revealing his life and work is on display at Brooklyn Museum.
On Saturday, Brooklyn Museum opened its latest exhibit, “Spike Lee: Creative Sources.” This massive exhibition connects the dots of all things that make up this multi-hyphenate creator. Visitors can see over 350 of Lee’s personal artifacts, with curation from Kimberli Gant and Indira A. Abiskaroon.
Lee attended a special preview of the exhibition on Oct. 3, as did a collection of stars throughout the opening weekend. Producer-writer Lena Waithe, broadcaster Robin Roberts, and news anchor Don Lemon attended. Many of Lee’s collaborators showed up as well, such as Adam Driver, Laurence Fishburne, Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, and John Leguizamo.
“Creative Sources” splits Lee’s life in artifacts into seven distinct sections, all telling the story of what makes the man and his films so unique: “Black History and Culture,” “Family,” “Brooklyn,” “Photography,” “Cinema History,” “Music,” and Sports.
It’s fitting that the “Black History and Culture” section is the first thing you see as you enter the fifth-floor exhibition in the Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing and Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery. Visitors are greeted by the magnetism of Denzel Washington as an excerpt of Lee’s biopic, “Malcolm X,” is projected on the wall. Throughout the section are signed portraits of Angela Davis and Marcus Garvey, along with framed signs of “colored-only” drinking fountains.
Room Two, “Family,” holds intimate portraits and artifacts from Lee’s family. The highlight is a handwritten note from his grandmother announcing his birth with photos of newborn…
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