Photos by Sean Fleming, courtesy of Blaffer Art Museum, 2021
An exhibition at the Blaffer Art Museum by artist Marisa Morán Jahn and collaborating architect Rafi Segal, “Stories of Solidarity” transposes and unfolds two floors (stories) of their Carehaus Baltimore project into the gallery space. Created by Jahn, Carehaus’ murals begin with a first story: a lioness motif commemorates Clarisse Castor, a Haitian-American woman who anchored around her immigrant community (or extended brood). The second story features domestic workers singing, shouting, and calling to each other, highlighting the power of voice within the movement for domestic workers rights. The architectural model of the Carehaus Baltimore building designed by Rafi Segal A+U gives context to the murals. Along with the accompanying prints, drawings, and films, Jahn and Segal’s collaboration brings art and architecture together to inspire and shape how we value care and aging.
1st Story
The eleven foot tall wrap-around mural explores the theme of love and economic solidarity, commemorating Clarisse Castor. Through her generosity, Castor, mother of Carehaus co-founder Ernst Valery, anchored the Haitian-American community around her and enabled others to thrive. Jahn celebrates this history of solidarity through the motif of the lioness, a symbol of pride for an extended brood, and a tulip, symbol of love.
Placed in the center of the installation is a ‘dollhouse-size’ model of Carehaus Baltimore in which the same wall murals can be seen in their location within the overall architectural design.
2nd Story
The nine-foot tall second “story” explores the power of voice and mutualism within the national movement for domestic workers rights. Here, the women featured sing, shout, and call to each other to tackle challenges that domestic workers face — immigration reform, modern day trafficking, the harsh economic precarity faced Black domestic workers, and more. Each of these leaders, all of whom have previously collaborated with Jahn, also lent their expertise during Carehaus’ codesign sessions. One exception is the inclusion of the Baltimore-born singer Billie Holiday who cleaned houses before her career took off. Holiday’s lyrics depict a struggle for dignity despite racial injustices of her time, a challenge still faced many caregivers today.
Special Thanks: Steven Matijcio, Director of Blaffer Art Museum and Interim Artistic Director of Mitchell Center, Melissa Noble, Interim Managing Director; and Karen Farber (former Director), Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. Studio Assistance: Paul Gruber, Ana Paula Arenas. Additional support from MIT CAST.