Photograph by
Platon, British, born 1968
Subject of
Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
Date
2010; printed 2019
Medium
pigment on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 19 3/4 × 14 1/4 in. (50.2 × 36.2 cm)
H x W (sheet): 24 × 20 in. (61 × 50.8 cm)
H x W (matted): 22 × 28 in. (55.9 × 71.1 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Ku Klux Klan Regalia, by Platon. At the center of the photograph are a set of white, full length, Klan robes and a matching hood displayed on a form. The hood is conical-shaped and has a back flap with squared corners. The face mask attached to the pointed hood is pulled down. The robe is secured at the front with a row of buttons. Sewn over the proper left breast is a machine embroidered, round patch with a light tone, square cross outlined in black against a medium tone background. At the center of the cross is a black outlined, white diamond with an embroidered “blood drop,” oriented vertically inside the white diamond. The design is typically referred to as the "Mystic Insignia of a Klansman" (MIOAK). The robes and hood are slightly wrinkled. The background of the photograph is black. The photograph has a thick white border. The edition number, [5/12], is printed in the bottom left corner. The photographer’s signature and date, [Platon 19], is handwritten in the bottom right corner. Inside the border, at the bottom center, is the photographer’s embossed mark: [PLATON ? / EDITIONED ? / PRINT ?[encircled between two bands of embossed dots]]. The back of the photograph is plain and white.
Statement
Objects depicting symbols of hate or related to organized hate groups may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate history and culture.
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Place captured
Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
pigment prints
Topic
Associations and institutions
Civil rights
Clothing and dress
Hate crimes
Photography
Race discrimination
Societies
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Platon
Object number
2021.33.26
Restrictions & Rights
© Platon
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d9f11e0a-5d6c-4f14-a191-cb27e4290e96

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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