I created a provocative original art piece to inspire humans to have conversations (R.I.C.H. Dialogues) centered on interpretations. Each element was designed with purpose; to evoke a feeling, reaction and tell MLK’s story from a different perspective. 

Eyes 

The "visceral" feeling of the skewed rectangle over the eyes of MLK isn't one of violence to the imagery of King. Rather it can be interpreted, as blinding or whitewashing of what King's dream has become. 

King a dynamic leader, the great orator, driven to change the conditions of Black Americans, was a young man. Constantly pulled between peace and to react to the violence he endured. A young man who was exhausted, but yet hopeful. As we saw during his last speech in Memphis "I've Been to the Mountaintop". King spoke of this violence but said it was a "dynamic" time to be alive. King was assassinated the next day in Memphis. 

The "dream" has been watered down, built out to build a narrative that is no longer the vision of King. So when we see King's eyes "blinded", the hope is to feel past the discomfort, rather we should want to open the dialogue that will be meaningful to impact the change King truly envisioned. 

Halo

This little HALO behind him, also called nimbus, in art, radiant circle or disk surrounding the head of a holy person, or a  person who stood for righteousness and right-ness, a representation of spiritual character through the symbolism of light. The halo was used regularly in representations of Christ, the angels, and the saints throughout the Middle Ages

Photos

When we start going up into the photos it starts black and white, even this lady over here it's black and white, but as the dreams continue to progress they become more vibrant with color which is representative of life. 

The Dream Cloud

The dream cloud wraps around, notice how dreams itself change. Though passively it is shifted as it goes down because the dreams have to be brought down into reality until they're clear and visible even when they may not seem so. 

“I Have A Dream” Speech

Boldly and subtly portions of the “I Have A Dream Speech” was included in the design.