Glenn Ligon (born 1960)
Double America, 2012
Neon and paint
91 x 305 cm

Double America, 2012 presents two rows: the top AMERICA with each letter turned backwards, and the bottom an accurate reflection of the word AMERICA written out correctly. In the artist's own words, “The word AMERICA seems to have a shadow, although the shadow doesn't exactly reflect the word that casts it.” Ligon seeks to challenge the idea of a singular American narrative, asking the viewer to more deeply consider the country's history and the concept of America as a whole.

A special presentation of the Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin as part of the We the people programme initiative of the Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz