Hank Willis Thomas American, 1976
Rebound, 2023
UV on retroreflective vinyl
121.9 x 121.9 cm. (48 x 48 in.)
Copyright The Artist
Hank Willis Thomas's Rebound (2023) exemplifies his innovative use of retroreflective materials to engage viewers in a dynamic visual experience. The artwork consists of layered images that reveal different visuals...
Hank Willis Thomas's Rebound (2023) exemplifies his innovative use of retroreflective materials to engage viewers in a dynamic visual experience. The artwork consists of layered images that reveal different visuals depending on the lighting conditions and the viewer's perspective. Initially, under standard lighting, the piece presents a diagram reminiscent of Andy Warhol's Dance Diagram series from the early 1960s, which featured instructional dance steps traced from dance manuals. Thomas's reimagining displays shoe patterns labelled “right” and “left,” echoing Warhol's originals. However, when illuminated with a flashlight, an image of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team performing a slam dunk emerges, revealing that the foot patterns correspond to the players' movements as seen from above.
This transformation invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between art and participation. While Warhol's diagrams invited physical interaction through dance, Thomas's work requires active engagement to unveil the complete image, thus merging the viewer's experience with the artwork's revelation.
Rebound also explores themes of cultural convergence. By juxtaposing dance diagrams with basketball imagery, Thomas highlights parallels between dance and sports – both being forms of physical expression with choreographed movements. This fusion challenges traditional distinctions between high art and popular culture, encouraging viewers to reflect on the performative aspects inherent in both disciplines.
The use of the Lakers, a team with significant cultural impact, situates the work within contemporary discussions on race, identity, and representation in sports and media. Thomas's choice to conceal and then reveal the basketball scene may symbolise the often-overlooked artistry and strategy in sports, prompting a reevaluation of how athletic performances are perceived and valued in society.
In essence, Rebound serves as a commentary on perception and interaction. It invites viewers to engage actively, both physically and intellectually, to uncover deeper narratives embedded within the visual composition.
This transformation invites viewers to reconsider the relationship between art and participation. While Warhol's diagrams invited physical interaction through dance, Thomas's work requires active engagement to unveil the complete image, thus merging the viewer's experience with the artwork's revelation.
Rebound also explores themes of cultural convergence. By juxtaposing dance diagrams with basketball imagery, Thomas highlights parallels between dance and sports – both being forms of physical expression with choreographed movements. This fusion challenges traditional distinctions between high art and popular culture, encouraging viewers to reflect on the performative aspects inherent in both disciplines.
The use of the Lakers, a team with significant cultural impact, situates the work within contemporary discussions on race, identity, and representation in sports and media. Thomas's choice to conceal and then reveal the basketball scene may symbolise the often-overlooked artistry and strategy in sports, prompting a reevaluation of how athletic performances are perceived and valued in society.
In essence, Rebound serves as a commentary on perception and interaction. It invites viewers to engage actively, both physically and intellectually, to uncover deeper narratives embedded within the visual composition.