A new art installation paying homage to Black history and community resilience is set to debut at the Stutz later this week.
The piece, entitled “65/70 Riff,” was created in a partnership between artists Brian McCutcheon and Julian Jamaal Jones at Indianapolis-based fabrication studio Ignition Arts. The public art installation will be unveiled during a public reception from 5-6:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Stutz.
“The artwork blends themes from the Indiana Avenue jazz scene with elements of highway signage, celebrating a revitalization that places community and creativity at its heart,” Jones said in a statement. “This installation not only acknowledges the history of Indiana Avenue but also calls on us to honor these roots while envisioning a future that uplifts community voices.”
The Stutz leadership cast an open call for artists, of which McCutcheon was selected as a finalist. During the proposal phase, McCutcheon connected with Jones as a collaborator to create a piece that would reflect the “culture impact and historical legacy of Indiana Avenue,” according to a press release.
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The once thriving epicenter for Black music, culture and commerce is captured visually in “65/70 Riff” through the usage of highway signage and vibrant color. Located in the Makers Alley at the Stutz, the installation is intentionally within view of the interstates that displaced the once thriving families, businesses, music and culture of Indiana Avenue.
“Public art adds cultural, social and economic value, connecting people across time and space,” McCutcheon, founder of Ignition Arts, said in a statement. “We’re proud to create a piece in Indianapolis that reflects our history and reclaims a public narrative. We hope ‘65/70 Riff’ sparks deeper conversations about our city’s past and its potential for a community-centered future.”
The public reception for “65/70 Riff,” which takes place from 5-6:30 p.m. on Nov.7, allows the community an opportunity to meet the artists, engage with the art and its history, as well as participate in community dialogue about the city’s Black heritage. For more information, visit thestutz.com/events/6570-riff-installation-opening-reception.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.