In a striking tribute to Kamala Harris’s historic role as the first Black and Asian American female Vice President, the National Women’s History Museum unveiled a captivating art installation in Washington, D.C. This innovative portrait, crafted from shattered glass, measures an impressive 6 feet by 6 feet and is prominently displayed near the Lincoln Memorial.
“Representation is crucial, particularly at the ballot box, and Kamala Harris’s inauguration as the first woman—and woman of color—to hold the vice presidency signifies a pivotal moment in American history,” stated Holly Hotchner, President of the National Women’s History Museum, in a release to ArtNews.
“Today’s advancements are built upon the legacy of women who came before—trailblazers like Kamala, who raised their voices, marched for their rights, and sought elected office; the women who broke glass ceilings so that others could shatter them,” she continued.
While reports indicate that Harris is aware of the installation, her office has not disclosed any plans for her to view the piece. However, Second Gentleman Alex Rivera, who is also a first in his role, visited the installation on Friday. “I had to see it for myself, this incredible new art installation honoring @VP Kamala Harris,” he shared on Twitter, using the hashtag #glassceilingbreaker.
The installation was commissioned by BBH New York, a creative agency that selected Swedish artist Simon Berger for this project due to his expertise in glass art. Inspired by a photograph of Harris taken by New York photographer Celeste Soloman, Berger skillfully hammered laminated glass to achieve the shattered portrait effect. “I hit the glass directly with the hammer, so that cracks and impacts occur,” Berger explained via email. “Hard hits create abstraction, and I paint with targeted fine hits.”
A brief video showcasing the creation process, accompanied by the Vice President’s inauguration speech, highlights the artistry involved in this unique installation. Visitors have been flocking to the site, capturing memories in front of the installation to celebrate Harris’s groundbreaking achievement.
“Just visited this amazing pop-up art installation #glassceilingbreaker honoring @VP at the Lincoln Memorial @NationalMallNPS today! Absolutely incredible!” one visitor tweeted. Another user shared a photo of the installation with the Washington Monument in the backdrop, noting, “Today the @womenshistory Museum unveiled an incredible portrait of @vp @KamalaHarris made out of shattered glass. It’s on display at the Lincoln Memorial until February 6.”
International visitors have also expressed their admiration for the piece, with one remarking in German, “Sehr cool,” or “very cool” in English. Yes, it is indeed sehr cool!
The installation will be available for viewing at the Lincoln Memorial until Saturday night before returning to New York, with future public displays yet to be announced.
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Summary:
A new shattered glass portrait of Kamala Harris has been unveiled at the Lincoln Memorial, celebrating her historic role as the first female Vice President of the United States. The installation, commissioned by BBH New York and created by artist Simon Berger, emphasizes the importance of representation and the legacy of women who have paved the way for future generations. The artwork is generating significant interest, with visitors eager to capture their experiences in front of the installation.
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