In one of the smaller chapels of the church is another installation on a similar subject matter. Faces of victims are printed on pieces of white cloth, which are hung from the ceiling. With the voices of families narrated in the background, the space becomes surrealistically real, bringing the presence of the dead.

Behind are the tables with custom-designed atlases, on which people have recorded the deaths of their close family members. These atlases themselves are very nicely designed as well.

Art may not be the same as it was at the beginning of this century. But what hasn’t changed is that it still could be used as a vehicle to communicate. Especially with an advent and rapid development of technology in the 90’s, it is ever easier for one to “create” something (whether it’s art or design or anything else). Consequently, it is increasingly becoming important for artists and designers to have something to say.

It is time for us visual designers to take a step back from all the technologies and look at what art and design really is. Design is not about how to use the latest Photoshop filters or Flash tricks or making things look “cool” with bells and whistles.

Art and design are a means of communication. Without anything to say, how can you communicate?

Witness: Perspectives On Police Violence
Bradley McCallum with Jacqueline Tarry
Date: November – December, 1999
Place: Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Address: 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025
https://bradleymccallum.com