What's Happening?
Photographer Barbara Karant has documented the former 11-story headquarters of the Johnson Publishing Company (JPC) in Chicago, which housed Ebony and Jet magazines, in a new book titled '820 Ebony/Jet: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company, an American
Icon.' The building, located at 820 S. Michigan Avenue, was a significant monument to Black culture, designed by Black architect John Moutoussamy and featuring vibrant interiors by Palm Springs designers Arthur Elrod and William Raiser. After JPC struggled in the 2010s, selling its iconic titles and eventually declaring bankruptcy, the building was vacated by 2012. Karant visited the empty space approximately 40 times starting in 2013, capturing its original, never-renovated designs, including colorful walls, patterned carpets, and unique features like the Ebony Test Kitchen and the JPC library. Her photographs, combined with archival images and guest essays, aim to preserve the legacy of JPC, which was once considered 'the heart and soul of Black America.'
Why It's Important?
The documentation of the former Johnson Publishing Company headquarters by Barbara Karant is crucial for preserving a significant piece of U.S. cultural and architectural history. JPC, through Ebony and Jet magazines, played a vital role in elevating Black voices, stories, and beauty for decades, attracting prominent figures like President Barack Obama. The building itself was a symbol of Black achievement and self-sufficiency, especially given its construction shortly after the Civil Rights era. The book serves as a tangible record of a cultural powerhouse that shaped Black identity and representation. Its preservation through photography and historical accounts ensures that future generations can understand the impact of JPC and the unique design of its headquarters. This effort also highlights the importance of documenting spaces that hold immense cultural value, particularly when the original institutions they housed have undergone significant changes or ceased operations.
What's Next?
The release of Barbara Karant's book, '820 Ebony/Jet: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company, an American Icon,' will bring renewed attention to the legacy of the Johnson Publishing Company and its former headquarters. While the building's exteriors have been landmarked and redeveloped into residential units, the book offers a way for the public to experience the interior as it once was. This project joins other artistic endeavors, such as those by Lorna Simpson and Theaster Gates, who also utilize JPC archives to explore themes of Black life and culture. The book's publication could inspire further academic study, exhibitions, or public discourse on the role of Black media in American society. It also reinforces the ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate the contributions of Black institutions to the nation's cultural fabric, ensuring that their historical significance is not forgotten despite physical transformations.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond its historical and architectural significance, Karant's project delves into the less obvious implications of loss and memory associated with the decline of a major cultural institution. The photographer's experience of being alone in the empty building, yet feeling a 'residual creativity and energy,' speaks to the enduring spirit of places imbued with significant human activity. This work touches upon the ethical responsibility of preserving cultural heritage, especially when it represents marginalized communities. The transformation of the building into residential units, with only the exterior preserved, symbolizes a broader trend of urban redevelopment that often erases the physical markers of historical significance. The book, therefore, becomes a critical act of remembrance, ensuring that the 'miracle on Michigan Avenue' and its profound impact on Black America are not lost to time, but rather reinterpreted and appreciated through a new artistic lens.
