Myth of The Cherry Tree
"Legends never die." Babe Ruth, The Sandlot, 1993
George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree and then virtuously confessed to it. As was repeated to generations of American school children. This tall tale of honesty was entirely fabricated by a biographer to solidify the first U.S. President's place on the pedestal of history, and to sell books. Biographies and ghost-written autobiographies are full of inflated epics and quips, posturing to be seen and remembered as the best versions of oneself. A similar attention to portrayal exists in everyday life through how we chose to present ourselves and the characterizations others apply to us. We hold in ourselves assorted identities, often reduced by labels. Some celebrated and openly shared, some designated upon us at birth or after personal accomplishments or traumatic incidents. Others we hide forever buried in shame. The works in this exhibition share an acknowledgment and deep understanding that humans are full of multitudes.
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"Legends never die." Babe Ruth, The Sandlot, 1993
George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree and then virtuously confessed to it. As was repeated to generations of American school children. This tall tale of honesty was entirely fabricated by a biographer to solidify the first U.S. President's place on the pedestal of history, and to sell books. Biographies and ghost-written autobiographies are full of inflated epics and quips, posturing to be seen and remembered as the best versions of oneself. A similar attention to portrayal exists in everyday life through how we chose to present ourselves and the characterizations others apply to us. We hold in ourselves assorted identities, often reduced by labels. Some celebrated and openly shared, some designated upon us at birth or after personal accomplishments or traumatic incidents. Others we hide forever buried in shame. The works in this exhibition share an acknowledgment and deep understanding that humans are full of multitudes.
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