The proposed lecture series addresses dynamic alternative approaches to Africa’s representation in museum and exhibition contexts of the 21st century. Within African art studies, exhibitions have been one of the primary vehicles of representation, with some of the most important research in the field taking shape through museum exhibitions and associated scholarly publications. Yet the display of cultures has been fraught with the politics of representation. This forward-looking series of lectures will present and envision critical curatorial interventions that embrace multiple facets of traditional, modern, contemporary, urban, and diasporic African experience. We shall seek to complicate conventional wisdoms about what it means to organize exhibitions, and to engage artists and communities in the actions of curatorial practice.

Oct. 4 -- Barbara Thompson, Stanford University

Contemporary Controversies: Curatorial Activism in the Arts of Africa

Oct. 18 -- Raymond Silverman, University of Michigan

Reimagining Curatorial Practice in 21st-Century Africa: Community Museums

Nov. 1 -- Gemma Rodrigues, Fowler Museum at UCLA

Simultaneous Translation: In and out of Africa/ In and out of Time

Nov. 15 -- Sylvester Ogbechie, UC Santa Barbara

Curating Africa as a Site of Globalization

These presentations are part of the UCLA African Studies Center Monday Africa Seminar Series (MASS), funded by a grant from the UCLA International Institute. Additional funding provided by the Fowler Museum at UCLA.

Pay-by-space and all-day ($10) parking available in lot 3.

Cost : Free and open to the public

www.international.ucla.edu/africa/

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, World Arts & Cultures/Dance, Fowler Museum at UCLA