Before Google Reflection

For my Before Google assignment, I went up to the displays in the Rose Library and took interest in a specific piece titled “Property.” It is a work of art, created by Berhan Getachew of the Westminster Schools here in Atlanta. The piece is comprised of a large drawing of a slave, surrounded by words and phrases typically used during the time of slavery, found at the center of the work, surrounded by signs for wanted runaway slaves.

This piece caught my eye because of its connections between the past and present. The drawing at the center was created in 2016, and these posters date back to the days of slavery. To see these two components interact is extremely powerful.

As for the project itself, I found it to be a very rewarding process. It is so easy to look anything up on the internet and find decently satisfying results or information, but to take the time to go to a library and see this work in person is far more powerful. Had I simply looked at a photo of this piece online, I would not have been able to see the pencil lines in the drawing and the mismatched way the posters were glued onto the edges of the page.

The only frustrating part of the project was not being allowed to touch the piece itself, which is completely understandable, considering it is on display under glass for its safety. Otherwise, I found this process to be very interesting and worthwhile.