:::Exit Art presents Negritude::5/20-7/25:::

At the corner of W. 36th and 10th ave, sum'n dope is jumpin' off from now 'til July. Exit Art gallery, in tandem with joint curators Franklin Sirmans, director Taina Cypriano, author/ journalist/ musician Greg Tate, artist/ photographer Papo Colo, and author/ professor Rose-Myriam Rejouis have coalesced stories from the African diaspora condensed into art and film. The end result is the noteworthy Negritude exhibition, running from May 20th through July 25th. As many of y'all might already know, the term negritude denotes an Afro-Francophone literary and sociopolitical movement from the 1930s propelled into motion by the collective intellectual brilliance of Aime Cesaire, Leon Damas, and Leopold Senghor. Don't know these fellas? Shame on ya! Google 'em!


Laroye 048: Boy With Rooster (1997)
- Mario Cravo Neto

Yet while the Negritude movement was essentially exclusive to the Afro-Francophone contingent, this exhibit and its curators attempt to broaden the definition by encompassing the talents and voices of the African diaspora with works from over 20 artists and directors. As I mentioned before, the exhibition is two fold: visual art and film. The art installations are housed on the main street level, while the films are screened downstairs in their Exit Underground digital cinema theater. I went to visit the exhibit and saw one of the films in the festival series last Friday and would recommend anyone with a sincere interest in this realm to do the same. Some of the pieces are thought provoking. And though the films only focus on Brazil, they are definitely breathtaking.


Laroye 026: Boy Laying In Water Face Up
- Mario Cravo Neto

While the art installation is open to the public during regular gallery hours, each film in the series screens only on Fridays at 6PM ($5 suggested donation for screenings). Check the film schedule here.



FYI, there will be a party to celebrate the exhibition on June 18 from 7-11pm with performances from Malian artist Baye Kouyaté et Les Tougarakes, West African-Hungarian hybrid band Dallam-Dougou, and DJ Turmix. African food vendors will also be on site. Admission is $20, but don't fret too much...there's an open bar from 7-8PM. A TBA reading by poet/ recording artist/ actor Saul Williams is on the calendar of events for Negritude as well.
'Nuff said...YOU SHOULD GO!!