They Did Not Know We Were Seeds
They Did Not Know We Were Seeds by Tanya Nixon-Silberg is a large (5x5x5) cylindrical planter, growing ancestral Indigo plants and holding the secret world of a miniature puppet theater that comes to life with a maneuverable Black puppet jump-roping through historical Black Boston.
The work is a testament to the resilience and the power of Black joy. As visitors engage with the installation, they will become the puppeteer, maneuvering a Black puppet jump-roping through the historical narrative of Black Boston, generating a little Black girl's joy.
Offering a diverse range of programming designed for people of all generations, this space will hold musical story hours, where children can celebrate the joy of Blackness. Ceremonies and workshops will be conducted to explore the history, techniques, and healing properties associated with indigo dyeing within the community. They Did Not Know We Were Seeds intends to serve as a meeting point for healing and a moment to remember that joy and care are part of our collective legacy.
Photo (c) Tess Scheflan
““The bodily remembrance of Black joy is less about what viewers take with them, and more about what they leave behind,” said Nixon-Silberg. “The audience is encouraged to leave their judgments, heaviness, tiredness, and more, to open space within themselves for joy”
Adapted from a poem by Dinos Christianopoulos, the title "They Did Not Know We Were Seeds" serves as a rallying cry for Black women to remember and embrace the resiliency and magic of Blackness. This installation pays homage to Black women, focusing on bodily remembrances of joy and resistance. Nixon-Silberg’s piece intends to serve as a meeting point for healing and a moment to remember that joy and care are integral to our collective legacy.
Location: Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library in Roxbury
Timeline: The work opened on June 10, 2023, and will be up for the summer and fall of 2023.
L: Accelerator Artist Ponnapa Prakkamakul. R: Accelerator Artist Tanya Nixon-Silberg holds a smaller version of her large-scale art installation “They Did Know We Were Seeds” at the opening reception on June 10, 2023.
