Kevin Hughes United States Necklace, 2013 Plastic from water jug, duct tape, silver 10.1 x 15.2 x 4.4 cm Photo: the artist Photo courtesy of Velvet da Vinci

Just returned from a tour of MAD, Museum of Art and Design at Columbus Circle. The exhibits aren’t beautiful but they are certainly interesting and anyone who goes will enjoy it.  MAD is much more socially aware than many other museums and much of their art is more craft.  A wonderful exhibit is La Frontera:  Encounters Along the Border which explores the U.S.—Mexican border using jewelry made by artists seemingly from detritus (wire, glass, copper, metal, string) found along the side of the road.  The information alongside each piece gives information on Mexican immigration.  I found it very interesting.

Another wonderfully interesting exhibit is by Derrick Adams:  Sanctuary.  These are mixed-media collages reimagining safe destinations for black American travelers during the first part of the 20th century. It was inspired by the Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook with information on hotels, restaurants, stores and other places that welcomed  black travelers.   The Green Book was published annually from 1936 to 1967 during the Jim Crow era in America.  Go!  I promise you won’t be bored.

Miriam Silverberg is a freelance journalist and owner of Miriam Silverberg Associates,  a boutique publicity firm in Manhattan. She may be reached at silverbergm@mindspring.com.