Archived presentation on the window installation by Dianne Smith for the West Harlem Art Fund during Armory Arts Week 2011.

1. Gumboot Juba
Window Installation
Artist Dianne Smith
Presented by West Harlem Art Fund

2. http://www.westharlemartfund.wordpress.com
Sponsored by: The Armory Show Presented by: West Harlem Art Fund
http://www.armoryartsweek.com/home/public-events/
Dianne Smith
2011
Gumboot Juba
Mixed Media Installation
Juba, Pattin' Juba or Guiba are the names used to describe this dance of West African origin. Performed
across Southern plantations, the Caribbean and in Dutch Guiana, enslaved Africans forbidden to use
drums or even lift their feet, created body sounds and movements to replace their drums. Juba’s later
popularity in musical performances and minstrel shows, indirectly birth American Tap dance in the United
States. The most famous dancer of that time was a free man of color named Master Juba (William Henry
Lane). He has been credited with introducing Tap Dance to American culture.
A century later, South African miners suffering harsh working conditions also came up with a rhythmic way
to communicate with each other using hand slapping and body movement. While wearing Wellington
Boots also known as Wally Boots, the Gumboot dance was born and took the place of drums.
In our contemporary culture, we can see these influences in Step Dancing, a line dance still performed
today by African American and now Latino Greek fraternal organizations.

3. Mink Building
West Harlem

4. Mink Building
Amsterdam Avenue

5. Dianne Smith
Harlem Artist

6. Gumboot Juba