ArtistJulia Bloom

Five Redacted Drawings

Date2020

MediumCharcoal and typewriter type on laid writing paper

DimensionsEach (Paper size): 11 × 8 1/2 in. (27.9 × 21.6 cm) Image Size (a. Day 84): 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (11.4 × 11.4 cm) Image Size (b. Day 95): 5 × 4 1/2 in. (12.7 × 11.4 cm) Image Size (c. Day 95): 5 × 4 1/2 in. (12.7 × 11.4 cm) Image Size (d. We speak to each other from a distance #2): 5 1/4 × 5 1/4 in. (13.3 × 13.3 cm) Image Size (e. What does meaningful solidatrity look like? #1): 4 1/2 × 4 3/4 in. (11.4 × 12.1 cm)

Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection

Object numberDCCAH2021.010a-e

ClassificationsDrawings

Locations

Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (901 G St NW)

DescriptionThe pandemic, the stay-at-home orders, the protocols for social distancing, and the calls for social justice that happened in the spring and summer of 2020 greatly impacted Julia Bloom’s work. In support of the US Postal Service, she began typing letters on a Royal Quiet Deluxe typewriter to keep in touch with friends and family in distant cities. She then incorporated the typewriter into her drawing practice. Repeated phrases about Coronavirus, social distancing, social justice, and human interaction led her to type stream-of-consciousness journal entries that wrap around square shapes. She then overlaid the typed pages with geometric charcoal drawings. Although the text is redacted by the charcoal, and her thoughts become partially obscured and stifled, the message is clear: we are all in this together.