Rest is a luxury for many. Black people in the United States are twice as likely to get insufficient sleep compared with white people. This “sleep gap” identified by researchers is worse for those who are undocumented, disabled, or at lower income levels. Black Power Naps is a project by artists Navild Acosta and Sosa that responds to these conditions and asks, “How can we dream when we don’t sleep?” The artists trace our culture of constant fatigue back to the use of sleep deprivation to control enslaved people in the US. They actively reject this legacy and claim power in rest, inviting you to imagine a world in which leisure, downtime, and quality sleep are available to all.
Visit this interactive installation to practice rest as a form of reparations, or repairs, for historical and ongoing injustices. The space is designed to feel like a ship, rocking you to a state of relaxation on soft mattresses, cushions, rugs, and hand-dyed fabrics. Listen to the calming soundscape that surrounds you, watch projected images, and use the artists’ Traveling Biblioteca library to learn about the politics of rest and refusal.
Join the artists for public programs, which will be listed on this page soon.
Cushions featured in the installation were hand-dyed by Simone Evans.
Accessibility
In order to serve visitors with hearing loss, the Crown Creativity Lab includes induction hearing loops for sound amplification. During scheduled programs, visitors can turn their hearing aid or cochlear implant to T-Coil mode to hear enhanced sound effortlessly. The loop system does not work with hearing aids without telecoil technology.
All-gender restrooms are located on Floors 1, 3W, 5, and T1.
American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and live captioning is available for public programs upon request with two weeks advance notice. MoMA will make every effort to provide accommodation for requests made with less than two weeks notice. Please contact [email protected] to make a request for these accommodations.
The entrance to the Creativity Lab has a power-assist door.
Seating options include chairs with backs, couches, and stools.
For more information on accessibility at MoMA please visit moma.org/Access. For accessibility questions or accommodation requests please email [email protected] or call 212-708-9781.
