Intercontinental Morning
Museum of African Art
By Andrew moesel
Getting Started
“Scramble For Africa” by Yinka Shonibare |
The Museum of African Art was founded in 1984 to increase the understanding and appreciation of Africa’s ancient and modern cultures. It is the only independent institution in the United State devoted solely to organizing and displaying African art. In addition to the special collections that circulate through the venue several times a year, the museum publishes books, gives lectures and runs workshops on the subject.
When visitors first walk into the Museum of African Art’s current collection, “African Art Is…,” their eyes will be immediately drawn to a pair of colorful ritual costumes perched motionless on stands located directly ahead of the exhibitions doors.
But soon the sound of thumping draws the viewer’s attention behind them to a flat-screen television showing African men wearing similar costumes, beating drums, dancing wildly, bringing wood and straw adornments to life as beasts and gods.
African art never seems quite at home sitting still in a Western gallery. The exhibition is full of beautifully crafted baskets, blankets, statues and costumes, but the museum tries to help the viewer imagine these objects in the native land, being held in the hands of women or worn on the back of a shaman.
Digging In
Nothing brings African culture alive like the Egungun costume, located near the middle of the exhibition, in many ways the most impressive piece in the museum. It first appears almost as a large heap of quilts: hundreds of delicate, multi-patterned fabrics of various lengths strung together to make a layered, square outfit. The designs are awe-inspiring as it rests stationary; the viewer can only imagine the vivid whirlwind of color it must create during a tribal dance.
Simpler fabrics, in the form of traditional blankets and clothing, also hang on the walls, displaying rich colors and classical African patterns. One blanket, however, is unique but perhaps a little gross for some, made almost entirely of hairs from senior members of a certain tribe.
The collection has several objects that have interesting uses apart from their artistic beauty. The Baule, for example, a tribe from the Ivory Coast, crafted a fly swatter with an incredibly ornate handle with horsehairs coming out the end. In another part of the exhibit, a wooden sculpture of a tiger serves as both a stool and a lockbox.
Curators wanted not only to display where African art has been, but where it might be going. A scattered assortment of contemporary works from African artists represents some of the more stunning in objects in the museum, combining both old and new. One work called “Abduction of the Text: Total Eclipse” looks almost like tanned rawhide from far away, but closer inspection reveals it to be a collage of burnt newspaper clippings, a very modern and symbolic medium.
This current exhibit aims to make African visual art accessible to educators and their students who wish to explore the rich artistic history of Africa. Special tours are available for larger groups of students upon request.
Finishing Up
Perhaps as impressive as the museum is the adjacent gift shop. Aside from numerous well-illustrated books on African art, there are many pieces that visitors can pick up and become more acquainted with. Here is the only place inside where you can actually pick up a drum and try your hand at a beat.
Museum of African Art
36-01 43rd Avenue
(718) – 784 – 7700
www.africanart.org
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon., Thu., Fri.
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat.- Sun.
$ 6 adults, $ 3 children, students with ID and seniors FREE
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Mon., Thu., Fri.
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