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Jlin

Cracked, Never Destroyed

-86.167, 39.775611

The intersection of N. West Street and Indiana Avenue offers a unique perspective on the Indiana Avenue neighborhood. From this vantage point, you can see the Walker Theatre, one of the few surviving landmarks from the historic Avenue era. On this corner, you can also see the blocks of urban sprawl that replaced the homes and businesses that once lined the community’s streets. Jlin’s “Cracked, Never Destroyed” is a poignant tribute to the spirit of Indiana Avenue, which once thrived with joy, music, and community, serving as a vital commercial, spiritual, and artistic center for Black families in Indianapolis. The piece acknowledges the gradual erosion of this space due to gentrification, urban renewal, and neglect. Despite these physical changes, “Cracked, Never Destroyed” reminds listeners that the foundation of identity persists even when the surface cracks. Jlin’s music carries forth the enduring memory, pride, and pulse of the community—embodying grief, but also deep love—holding space for the past, honoring what remains, and envisioning a future where the spirit of Indiana Avenue can return, ensuring that its essence lives on forever.

• Duration: 04:01

• Year: 2025

• Commissioned by: 16 Tech