As a lifelong enthusiast of art and history, I can confidently say that the current exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now,” has left me absolutely spellbound! The rich tapestry of works on display, spanning over a century and a half, offers an enlightening perspective on the enduring influence of Ancient Egypt on Black artists.
As a passionate admirer, I’m thrilled to share that “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now” is currently on display at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met). This captivating group exhibition offers an intriguing exploration of the enduring impact of Ancient Egyptian art on African American artists throughout the past 150 years. It’s a unique blend of works from our esteemed institution, as well as pieces generously loaned from various parts of the globe. The show takes us on a fascinating journey, from the 19th century and the Harlem Renaissance to today’s contemporary art and music scene, sparking thought-provoking conversations that bridge disparate eras.
Perhaps more than any other ancient civilization, Egyptian lore holds a special resonance within pop culture, such as the mysteries surrounding the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza to queens Cleopatra and Nefertiti. The latter figure has been a focal point in the practice of Ethiopian-American artist Awol Erizku, whose shimmering disco ball in the bust of the ancient figure probes into themes of reclamation as it pertains to critiquing Eurocentric narratives and post-colonial histories. “It’s about a deeper lineage of what we’re told and taught in school,” Erizku told TopMob Magazine for Issue 34, adding that it blew his mind upon visiting Egypt only to learn that a famous bust of Nefertiti is housed in a Berlin museum. “What the f*ck is she doing in Berlin!?”
This exhibition fosters a productive conversation by showcasing pieces from African-American and Egyptian artists such as Imman Issa, Ghada Amer, Aaron Douglas, Laura Wheeler Waring, Lauren Halsey, Rashid Johnson, Beyoncé, and Alice Coltrane. Notably, performance is a significant focus of the event. Co-curated by Akili Tommasino and McClain Groff, in partnership with MetLiveArts, the “Performance Pyramid” aims to trace the evolution of Black performance art in relation to Egyptian themes, while also featuring live performances on selected dates during the exhibition’s duration. In essence, this display delves into the history of Black performance art that intersects with Egyptian subjects and showcases it through live presentations at various points throughout the exhibit.
The exhibit titled “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now” showcases more than 200 pieces and can be seen in New York City until February 17th, 2025.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5th Ave,
New York, NY 10028
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2024-11-22 22:56