Masterpieces in Motion - The Carters’ Louvre Takeover for Everything is Love
I promise this newsletter is not me just fangirling over Jay-Z! I talk about the couple filming the Ape Shit video at Louvre and how this was a major act for Black representation in "white spaces"
In this week’s Art on Wax, we’re still in Brooklyn but passing through Houston, Texas, and then taking a detour to Paris, France!!
You Know I Love Me Some Jay-Z
I believe the Carters deserve a standing ovation for getting the go-ahead to film a video and shoot an album cover at the Louvre. Do you all understand how huge this is? In front of the Mona Lisa and other pieces of European art, they fed us a visual masterpiece that made everyone do a double take; they epitomized Black excellence in a place traditionally dominated by white art.
My Presence is a Present
My current phone wallpapers include the album cover image and many shots from the "Apeshit" video. I love the imagery so much!
The album cover features a Black woman doing the hair of a Black man with an Afro pick right in front of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. That image alone is a wealth of cultural meaning—everyday Black life and beauty rituals juxtaposed with one of history's most famous artworks. It wasn’t just about being there but about a bold, unapologetic takeover of a space that perfectly symbolizes Western culture.
Secretly filming the "Apeshit" video at the Louvre and shooting this album cover was more than a bold move—it was a cultural statement. First, how did they keep this secret?!??! Second, The Carters did not just occupy the space; they were defining it. Contrasting modern-day Black culture against centuries-old European art with vibrant, contemporary fashion, Beyoncé matched Jay-Z's stylish presence to create a dialogue on representation and visibility. They reminded us that Black art and people belong in these sweeping narratives of history and culture.
Going Apeshit
When brainstorming what to write about for this cover, I kept thinking about the museum scene in Black Panther. This scene is another powerful portrayal of Black presence in a prestigious museum (it’s also a scene that I love to watch over and over because, as someone striving to occupy these spaces, it lights a fire under me).
When Killmonger critiques stolen artifacts and takes one for himself, it’s a dialogue on ownership and defiant resistance that goes hand in hand with The Carters. In very different contexts, the two moments stress the importance of Black people taking their place in spaces where they have been historically excluded.
Another connection I’d like to point out is the late Faith Ringgold's iconic artwork, "Dancing at the Louvre.” In Ringgold's piece, a Black woman and her daughters break from the expected, dancing joyously in front of famous paintings at the Louvre. This work challenges the conventions of who belongs in these exalted spaces and how they should behave.
The Carters' decision to film their video "Apeshit" and shoot their album cover at the Louvre could only be interpreted as a modern homage to Ringgold's vision. They continued the discourse on reclaiming cultural spaces while making the presence of Black people real in the world's most respected places.
Who Gon Check Me, Boo?
The Carters have always been about big statements and boundary-breaking: from Beyoncé's groundbreaking performances to Jay-Z's lyrical intelligence, they keep their feet on our necks. Shutting down the Louvre for Everything Is Love was just one more chapter in this bold, record-breaking story of fighting against the status quo and celebrating Black excellence.
Final Thoughts
I've written about different artists and their iconic covers; they all hold a special place in my heart. But allow me to fangirl for a tiny bit. I want to take some time to reflect on how in love I am with Everything Is Love by The Carters. More than an album, it gives Black creativity the platform it deserves, belonging alongside the “best” in WHITE European art and culture.
Sidebar, Jay looks so good in the Ape Shit video. Pre-freeform locs, Shawn, was a moment!!!!!
Going to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa is on my list of things to do before I turn 40. Hopefully, it will happen one day.
Until next time,
Stay bold, stay brilliant, and remember, as Jay-Z says, You could be anywhere in the world, but you're here with me. I appreciate that!
With love & creativity
-Shadé
This is such a beautiful piece of work!