CAAM Here & Now - Winter 2017 by The California African American Museum

here & now California African American Museum Winter 2017

“CAAM’s fall exhibitions . . . are doing justice to important unsung artists and significant contemporary ones, affirming the way African Americans and Africans in America have faced past and present challenges as well as questions of identity. And they are doing so by exhibiting their work in ways that broaden, deepen and reshape the narrative of art and art history.” — Forbes, November 9, 2016 The exhibitions currently at CAAM, their new programming strategies and the countless number of people I came across the other night activated CAAM for me in a whole new light. Now I know that CAAM is a place for me.” — Curator Love, October 28, 2016

welcome. 2017 will be an exciting year at the California African American Museum! Our current exhibitions, which opened in October, are receiving widespread acclaim—as you can see from some of the excerpts on this page—and we continue to complement them with numerous compelling public programs in January and February. We have also hired a host of new guides to lead tours, conduct workshops, and assist with any questions you may have in the gallery. The start of the calendar year coincides with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, and we are presenting special programs in conjunction with both celebrations. As you likely know, legislation designating Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday was passed in 1983, and the holiday was officially observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. Since that time, CAAM’s special programs in honor of this important day have been central to how Los Angeles honors Dr. King’s memory and legacy. This year, Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 16, 2017, and we open our doors (normally closed on Mondays) at 10:00 a.m. for a free, daylong celebration with hands-on art activities, a marathon reading of two powerful King orations, exhibition tours, food trucks, and more! Please see page 8 for details, and mark your calendar to join us. The smiling gallery guides you see in these pages will be waiting to greet you!

4 exhibitions | 8 public programs | 12 for families | 14 visit 2

Photo: Andreas Branch

exhibitions on view

The Ease of Fiction Through February 19, 2017

Genevieve Gaignard: Smell the Roses Through February 19, 2017

Hank Willis Thomas: Black Righteous Space Through February 19, 2017

“Having this exhibition at CAAM . . . highlights the cultural moment Africans are having in the United States (in film, theater and literature as well) and the important role CAAM plays in recognizing their work.” — Forbes, November 9, 2016

“In the wake of a presidential election that left America divided, and with issues of race, class, gender and sexuality top of mind for so many, Gaignard’s photographs feel particularly timely.” — Los Angeles Times, November 17, 2016

“In a timely show organized by CAAM curator Naima Keith, the repercussions continue into and beyond the 2016 election season just concluded.” — Los Angeles Times, November 9, 2016

Works by four contemporary African artists living in the United States serve as a foundation for a critical discussion about history, fact, and fiction. Recent paintings, drawings, and sculptural works by ruby onyinyechi amanze (b. 1982, Nigeria), Sherin Guirguis (b. 1974, Egypt), Meleko Mokgosi (b. 1981, Botswana), and Duhirwe Rushemeza (b. 1977, Rwanda) explore power, memory, personal agency, and play. This exhibition is organized by the Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh | CAM Raleigh and curated by independent curator Dexter Wimberly. CAAM’s presentation is organized by Mar Hollingsworth, Visual Arts Curator and Program Manager. The Ease of Fiction is made possible by generous support from AV Metro, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, Citrix, and The Betty Eichenberger Adams Society. CAM Raleigh is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission.

In her first museum exhibition, LA artist Genevieve Gaignard deftly uses installation, photographic self-portraiture, and sculpture to explore various intersections of race, femininity, and class. The daughter of a black father and white mother in a Massachusetts mill town, Gaignard grew up contending with a sense of invisibility. Was her family white enough to be white? Black enough to be black? In this immersive installation she invokes post-Katrina New Orleans shotgun houses and white picket fences to address questions of “passing,” positioning her body as the chief site of exploration and challenging viewers to navigate the powers and anxieties of intersectional identity. This exhibition is curated by Naima J. Keith, Deputy Director, Exhibitions and Programs.

In his interactive video Black Righteous Space, artist Hank Willis Thomas examines race through the lens of pop culture, advertising, and media. Dazzling motion graphics appear amidst a looping soundtrack that includes songs, speeches, and dialogue from more than fifty noted black figures including Malcolm X, James Baldwin, Richard Pryor, and Gil-Scott Heron. At random intervals the soundtrack goes silent, allowing visitors to approach a microphone and add their own voices to the conversation. This presentation is the California premiere of Black Righteous Space and is organized by Naima J. Keith, Deputy Director, Exhibitions and Programs. The work is loaned from The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Photo: Brian Forrest

exhibitions on view

Politics, Race, and Propaganda: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936 Through February 26, 2017 See historic photographs and documents, riveting films, and promotional materials that recount the infamous 1936 Berlin Olympics, which took place amidst Hitler’s Nazi dictatorship. The exhibition includes stories of athletes who were barred because of their ethnic heritage, those who boycotted the Games in protest, and the African Americans who competed and won a total of fourteen medals, refuting the Nazi myth of “Aryan” supremacy. This special Los Angeles presentation features one of the gold medals won by Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics. Politics, Race, and Propaganda: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936 is produced by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, presented by the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, and sponsored by the Foundation for Global Sports Development. 6

Taking Place: Selections from the Permanent Collection Through February 26, 2017 For centuries artists have rendered landscapes—both real and imagined— to consider issues such as history, belonging, and disenfranchisement. Landscapes can bear witness to stories from the past and offer powerful lessons in the present. Taking Place: Selections from the Permanent Collection includes photographs, paintings, and sculptures that depict urban scenes, rural landscapes, and visions of the African diaspora, all of which speak to notions of history and home among African Americans. This exhibition is curated by Mar Hollingsworth, Visual Arts Curator and Program Manager.

Photo: Brian Forrest

public programs Monday, January 16, 2017 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day by surrounding yourself with art, culture, and community. Enjoy an array of vibrant programs and activities for all ages. Bring the kids for art-making activities and food, visit our exhibitions, hear a marathon reading of King’s lesser-known speeches and sermons, and much more—free for everyone! 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Family drop-in art activities How Will I Change the World? Create a map adorned with words about how we can change the world. Share the Dream Design a button or poster using words, pictures, or quotes that extol MLK. Crown for a King Kids love crowns! Create and wear one that celebrates MLK’s legacy. 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Enjoy music & food on our patio! Tunes by DJ Melquan J. Williams + delicious fare from award-winning food trucks: Postcards (Central 8

American soul food, as seen on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race), Grilled Fraiche (Cali-Caribbean cuisine), and Peaches Smokehouse & Southern Kitchen (Southern cuisine and winner of the Cooking Channel’s Food Truck Face Off). How Can I Serve? Honor the legacy of MLK by answering one of his most enduring questions: What are you doing for others? Organizations from across LA will be on hand to pass out information and answer questions about supporting your community year-round.

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Marathon reading of Martin Luther King Jr. speeches by Long Beach City Councilmember Rex Richardson; Executive Director of the Social Justice Learning Institute D’Artagnan Scorza; Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery curator Erin Cristovale; visual artist Michael Massenburg; singer-songwriter Sha’Leah Nikole; and many more! “The American Dream” Sermon delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, on July 4, 1965 “The Other America” Speech delivered at Stanford University’s Memorial Auditorium on April 14, 1967

All events are free unless otherwise noted and are subject to change. Please visit caamuseum.org for the most up-to-date information on upcoming public programs. RSVP to CAAM programs at 213.744.2024 or rsvp@caamuseum.org

There is renewed urgency in today’s political climate to hear from multiple generations of activists working to make change. Activism Now is a series that invites speakers to discuss their work as well as the challenges, opportunities, and consequences of expanding the impact of social and political activism today.

public programs All events are free unless otherwise noted and are subject to change. Please visit caamuseum.org for the most up-to-date information on upcoming public programs. RSVP to CAAM programs at 213.744.2024 or rsvp@caamuseum.org

Sunday, January 8, 2017 | 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Beloved Community: Real or Imagined? Location: Leo Baeck Temple

Leo Baeck Temple, Hebrew Union College, and the California African American Museum come together to compare and contrast minority relationships in Nazi Germany and contemporary Los Angeles, following lines of solidarity and fracture as they cross neighborhoods and cities. Panelists include Bruce Phillips, professor of sociology and Jewish communal service at the Skirball Campus of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), and Sharon Gillerman, associate professor of Jewish history, HUC-JIR. Thursday, January 12, 2017 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm The View From Here: Exploring Landscape in Taking Place: Selections from the Permanent Collection Art historian Bridget R. Cooks provides historical context for early representations of landscapes by African American artists and examines the role of landscape for contemporary artists such as Richard Mayhew, Dominique Moody, and John Outterbridge. Cooks is associate professor, Department of Art History, and chair of the Department of African American Studies at the University of California, Irvine. 10

Thursday, February 2, 2017 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Sports and Politics: Then and Now In conjunction with Race, Politics, and Propaganda: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936, join us for a discussion about what happens when athletes protest, focusing on the actions of individual athletes from 1936 to the present and the challenges and opportunities that arise when politics and sports intersect.

Thursday, February 16, 2017 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. In Conversation: Betye and Alison Saar Taking as a point of departure their collaborative artwork, House of Gris Gris—currently on display in Taking Place—these acclaimed artists and mother-daughter duo will share their recollections of journeys through the art world and discuss how their kinship and familial bonds have informed their practices.

Sunday, February 19, 2017 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Truth to Power: African American Comedians and Social Commentary This lecture by writer and Cal State Fullerton professor Anthony Sparks is inspired by audio clips featured in Hank Willis Thomas: Black Righteous Space and explores how groundbreaking African American comedians have used brilliant writing, performance, and humor to bring topics of race and social justice into the public conversation.

Photo: Rawpixel

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. David Banner: Activism in Post-Obama America Grammy award-winning music producer, recording artist, philanthropist, civic activist, and actor David Banner has become one of the most honest and outspoken thought leaders of our time. Join us for an enlightening talk about race, activism, and social change in this current political climate. Wednesday, February 22, 2017 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Elaine Brown Over the last four decades, American prison activist, writer, and former Black Panther Party leader Elaine Brown has been involved with effecting progressive change in the United States. She served the Black Panther Party in numerous capacities including as Chairperson (1974–77), ran for public office in Oakland (1973 and 1975), and continues to work for social change. Much of her recent work focuses on the radical reform of the criminal justice system and related efforts. Join us for an enlightening evening as we hear from one of the country’s most prolific voices. 11

Sunday, January 29, 2017 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Posed Portraits: A Different Kind of Selfie! Inspired by Smell the Roses, visit the galleries today, stop by our free photo booth, and make a fun memory with friends or family!

for families The California African American Museum welcomes children of all ages, and we present a wide range of interactive programs designed especially for families. From arts and crafts workshops to dance classes and storytelling, come explore art, culture, and history together at CAAM!

Sunday, February 5, 2017 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Larger than Life Drop in and learn about the stars of our courtyard banners—including Ella Fitzgerald, Langston Hughes, and John Outterbridge, and hear stories about these remarkable artists. Sunday, February 12, 2017 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Art from the Heart Make beautiful, handmade Valentine’s Day cards that express your feelings and show off your creative flair. All ages.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2017 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. CAAM: After School At these free, drop-in after-school art workshops, children of all ages and their adult companions engage in creative projects to learn about the art and artifacts on display in our galleries. From building a 3D house sculpture to designing a flag, CAAM: After School gives young people the opportunity to experiment with new artistic techniques and explore CAAM’s exhibitions after the school day ends. No RSVP needed. Tuesday, January 10, 2017 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Stroller Tours Babies are welcome! In fact, you need a baby in tow if you want to join this group for casual and lively discussions in the galleries led by museum educators—just for parents-caregivers and their pre-toddlerage children (18 months and younger). Expect a special kind of outing that allows for adult conversation, but where no one minds if a baby lends his or her opinion with a coo or a cry! Tours are limited to ten adults with children and meet at the information desk. No RSVP needed. 12

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Art Workshop: My Landscape Visit Taking Place: Selections from the Permanent Collection and then spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon creating your own landscape, real or imagined. We will provide the supplies, and Los Angeles–based artist Raoul de la Sota will inspire and assist you with basic concepts of landscape art. Ages 10 and up. RSVP required.

Sunday, February 19, 2017 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Clues You Can Use Unleash your child’s inner sleuth! On the closing day of The Ease of Fiction, Smell the Roses, and Black Righteous Space, search the galleries with a themed scavenger hunt. Photo: FatCamera

visit The Ease of Fiction

Map Politics, Race, and Propaganda

Genevieve Gaignard

Hank Willis Thomas

Permanent Collection

Research Library

Conference Room

Admission is FREE. Hours Galleries open Tuesdays–Saturdays 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Location CAAM is located in Exposition Park, which is home to a variety of museums and attractions. Parking is $12 (cash only) at 39th and Figueroa Streets. The Metro Expo line stop Expo Park/USC is a five-minute walk through the Rose Garden to the Museum. Stay in touch with CAAM Phone: 213.744.7432 Email: info@caamuseum.org Sign up for our monthly e-news for updates on our exhibitions and public programs: caamuseum.org Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @CAAMinLA The California African American Museum is a state-supported agency and a Smithsonian Affiliate.

Photo: Andreas Branch

California African American Museum 600 State Drive Exposition Park Los Angeles, CA 90037 caam state board of directors todd hawkins, president zna portlock houston, vice president cornelious burke victor griego terri holoman rev. cecil l. murray bari a. williams

Cover: Genevieve Gaignard, Smell the Roses (installation view), 2016. Photo: Brian Forrest

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