Rosa Parks Bus

Item

Title

Rosa Parks Bus

Description

Assemblage; found vehicle materials arranged to represent a bus. A front metal bumper with a white Alabama license plate accompanied by a blue unidentified license plate. Extending from the bumper is a driving wheel and positioned at the wheel are the skeletal remains of a larger vehicle seat. Inside the 'bus,' laying horizontally is a totem structure of large metal bowls, stacked rim to rim and base to base, giving the impression of a series of conjoined orbs. Nearby on the floor of the bus is a crutch, as well as two vertically arranged round metal hoops inside of which extend blue cord, like spokes on a wheel, that concentrate at the center. At the back of the bus, elevated, is the metal remains of a three person bus seat or couch, with seat springs exposed. Resting on the seat is a long vehicle window with four panes, on each pane can be discerned the faint outlines of painted words "PRAY FOR US [indiscernible]." Tethered to the front is a bundle of blue coat hangers and propped on the head of the seat is a long wooden board on which is painted: "ROSA PARKS ALABAMA / DEC. 1 1955 MONTGOMERY." Behind that seat is the metal suggestion of another seating structure, on which is propped another long painted board.

Subject

Assemblages (sculpture)
Civil Rights Movement

Creator

Minter, Joe

Language

English

Type

Assemblages (sculpture)