CITY OF BONES
Based on August Wilson’s play Gem of the Ocean, set in Pittsburgh circa 1904, City of Bones | Gem of the Confluence is a mixtape and installation that explores Wilson’s artistic life and theatrical work through the rich history of Black music in Pittsburgh, collaging archival audio and play dialogue with the sounds of artists such as Mary Lou Williams, Ahmad Jamal, Romare Bearden, and more.
LISTEN
In Gem of the Ocean, the first play of August Wilson’s century cycle, the elder Aunt Ester invites a seeking Citizen Barlow on a journey of self-redemption to the City of Bones. But before he can gain passage, Aunt Ester instructs that he must first trek across the city to recover a handful of items - a piece of iron, two pennies lying next to one another, and find a man who will have something for him.
INSTALLATION
In Gem of the Ocean, the first play of August Wilson’s century cycle, the elder Aunt Ester invites a seeking Citizen Barlow on a journey of self-redemption to the City of Bones. But before he can gain passage, Aunt Ester instructs that he must first trek across the city to recover a handful of items - a piece of iron, two pennies lying next to one another, and find a man who will have something for him.
BACKGROUND
In Gem of the Ocean, the first play of August Wilson’s century cycle, the elder Aunt Ester invites a seeking Citizen Barlow on a journey of self-redemption to the City of Bones. But before he can gain passage, Aunt Ester instructs that he must first trek across the city to recover a handful of items - a piece of iron, two pennies lying next to one another, and find a man who will have something for him.
FULL REMARKS
PROJECT COMPLETED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE AUGUST WILSON ARCHIVE COMMUNITY ARTIST-SCHOLAR AWARD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LIBRARY SYSTEM
Project supported by the August Wilson Archive Community Artist-Scholar Award at the University of Pittsburgh Library System