We commissioned Bahareh and Farzaneh Safarani (The Safarani Sisters) to create a large-scale, outdoor video painting for the Akron Art Museum. The project was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization that supports art that engages, educates and delights residents in ways that are authentic to each community.

The painting, titled Reflections, was installed in the Museum’s garden, looking out onto the community, inviting them to come closer to engage with it. The piece, the largest ever executed by the Sisters, was both intimately personal and a large-scale public celebration. For the Sisters the artwork honored the people of Akron that make the city such a unique and special place, reflected on personal journeys, and contemplated our shared experiences as human beings.

After reflecting on their visits to the city, the Sisters had the brilliant idea of painting a beautiful interior scene that included a single, full length mirror. The final painting featured a projected video of Akronites inside this mirror. With guidance from The Akron Black Artists Guild, the museum team recruited and commissioned Akron native and local creative talent, Tyron Hoisten to film over thirty members of the community. The Sisters then edited this footage into the video featured in the mirror. As a result, Akronites were active participants in this collaborative work, making it a true reflection of the city. As the viewer looks at the painting and into the mirror, they see Akron reflected back at them.

This blog post provides a more detailed description of the project.